Key Takeaways. Mortgage lenders verify employment by contacting employers directly and requesting income information and related documentation. Most lenders only require verbal confirmation, but some will seek email or fax verification.
An underwriter or a loan processor calls your employer to confirm the information you provide on the Uniform Residential Loan Application. Alternatively, the lender might confirm this information with your employer via fax or mail.
The mortgage lender needs to check that you are and have been employed to ensure they're taking into consideration all of your income sources. This confirms that the borrower can cover their down payment and any closing costs.
Proof of employment
When someone is applying for a mortgage the lender will ask them for their employer's contact details. The lender will then phone or email the employer and ask to verify the applicant's claimed salary and other financial details including bonuses.
Lenders usually re-run a credit check just before completion to check the status of employment. A worry people have is that a second credit check would further impact their score but you can rest assured that multiple checks with the same lender will not affect your credit score.
They verify income by looking at paycheck stubs showing year-to-date earnings, bank statements, and tax documents. They use these documents to verify your income to make sure that you have the ability to repay your loan.
Speak to your lender early
If you lose your job, you won't automatically lose your mortgage. This only becomes a real possibility if you begin missing mortgage payments. Your first step should always be to contact your lender and alert them of your situation.
If you lose your job before you close on a mortgage, you should tell the lender immediately and explain what happened. Failure to do so will be considered mortgage fraud. Remember that your mortgage provider verifies your employment status and income before approving the loan.
Typically, mortgage lenders conduct a “verbal verification of employment” (VVOE) within 10 days of your loan closing — meaning they call your current employer to verify you're still working for them.
There's no reason to worry or stress during the underwriting process if you get prequalified – keep in contact with your lender and don't make any major changes that have a negative impact.
Can I quit my job before closing on a house? Quitting your job before closing will put your mortgage loan at risk. Lenders won't approve your home loan if you don't have enough income to make the loan's monthly payments. You may be able to quit a part-time job if you aren't using the income to qualify for your loan.
You can change jobs while buying a house. But the change in your employment situation could impact your loan finalization. A mortgage lender will consider your employment and income as two of the most vital parts of your loan application. Some job changes could make getting a mortgage more difficult.
Most job changes shouldn't interfere with your ability to buy a house. Keep in mind that lenders like to see a job history that demonstrates increased pay and responsibility over time, stable work within the same industry, and jobs that match your qualifications and training.
Can My Loan Still Be Denied? While it's rare, the short answer is yes. After your loan has been deemed “clear to close,” your lender will update your credit and check your employment status one more time.
Tip #1: Don't Apply For Any New Credit Lines During Underwriting. Any major financial changes and spending can cause problems during the underwriting process. New lines of credit or loans could interrupt this process. Also, avoid making any purchases that could decrease your assets.
When it comes to mortgage lending, no news isn't necessarily good news. Particularly in today's economic climate, many lenders are struggling to meet closing deadlines, but don't readily offer up that information. When they finally do, it's often late in the process, which can put borrowers in real jeopardy.
Lenders look at various aspects of your spending habits before making a decision. First, they'll take the time to evaluate your recurring expenses. In addition to looking at the way you spend your money each month, lenders will check for any outstanding debts and add up the total monthly payments.
Underwriting—the process by which mortgage lenders verify your assets, check your credit scores, and review your tax returns before they can approve a home loan—can take as little as two to three days. Typically, though, it takes over a week for a loan officer or lender to complete the process.
It's typical for lenders to consider your last two years of employment. But that doesn't mean you need to have been in the exact same job for the past two years. Generally, lenders will accept a two-year history of consistent work in the same line of work, if not at the same exact job.
Generally speaking, it usually takes two to six weeks to get a mortgage approved. The application process can be accelerated by going through a mortgage broker who can find you the best deals that suit your circumstances. A mortgage offer is usually valid for 6 months.
Most lenders will ask you to provide a number of recent payslips (typically a minimum of three), along with your mortgage application as evidence of your earnings. In some cases, however, you may not have any payslips to offer, or they may not fully evidence all of your sources of income.
How long does it take to complete after a mortgage offer? You'll typically complete the purchase of your new home within one or two weeks of exchanging contracts with the seller. You could do it in less, but most mortgage lenders need five working days to release the funds.
If the lender spots any big purchases that significantly impact your financial picture, it's possible they won't finalize the mortgage. With that, it is important to wait until after closing day before making any big purchases.
Lenders want to know details such as your credit score, social security number, marital status, history of your residence, employment and income, account balances, debt payments and balances, confirmation of any foreclosures or bankruptcies in the last seven years and sourcing of a down payment.
Most mortgage companies will go through a second VOE about ten days before closing. Remember, you are borrowing hundreds of thousands of dollars, and your lender wants to make sure you are still earning enough to make your house payment.