Steps in the Mortgage Process when you are Refinancing a Home

November 10, 2015 by 19 Comments

iStock_000003709509SmallThe process of getting a mortgage consists of several stages and typically takes anywhere from 30 – 45 days (or more) depending on how prepared you are, what mortgage program you have selected and if it’s a purchase, the closing date may dictate how long the process will take. With this post, I’m focusing on the steps involved with obtaining a refinance (aka refi) which are slightly different than the process when you are buying a home.

The steps below may not take place in the exact order I have listed and some steps may happen simultaneously. In addition, some lenders may have different procedures with how they process a mortgage.

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Steps in the Mortgage Process when You are Buying a Home

October 23, 2015 by 18 Comments

iStock_000003709509SmallThe process of getting a mortgage consists of several stages and typically takes anywhere from 30 – 45 days (or more) depending on how prepared you are, what mortgage program you have selected and if it’s a purchase, the closing date may dictate how long the process will take. The steps below may not take place in the exact order I have listed and some steps may happen simultaneously.

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Filed Under: Residential Purchase, The Mortgage Process

Steps in the Mortgage Process

July 25, 2014 by 46 Comments

iStock_000003709509SmallEDITORS NOTE 10/23/2015: This post has been updated to include the new disclosures and wait periods required per the Dodd Frank Act effective on loan applications dated October 3, 2015 and later. Click here to read the updated post.

The process of getting a mortgage consists of several stages and typically takes anywhere from 20 – 40 days (or more) depending on how prepared you are, what mortgage program you have selected and if it’s a purchase, the closing date may dictate how long the process will take. The steps below may not take place in the exact order I have listed and some steps may happen simultaneously.

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Who does what in the mortgage process?

March 6, 2014 by Leave a Comment

There are a lot of people involved in processing a closing a mortgage transaction at a mortgage company. With recent regulations, newer positions have been created adding to the hands that are involved in the process. Here’s a list of some of the positions involved in the mortgage process – please keep in mind that this varies from company to company and often times, titles may vary as well.

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Filed Under: The Mortgage Process

Do’s and Do Not’s of the Mortgage Process [Video]

September 15, 2013 by 1 Comment

In our last Seattle Real Estate Chat, Jim Reppond and I discuss what home buyers need to while in the mortgage process or considering buying a home.

Tune if for our next Seattle Real Estate Chat via our live Google Hangout on Tuesday, September 17, 2013 at 10:00 am Seattle time.
You can follow Seattle Real Estate Chat on Twitter at @SeattleREchat or #SeattleREchat

Filed Under: Real Estate, Residential Purchase, Seattle Real Estate Chat, The Mortgage Process, Uncategorized, Video Tagged With: , , ,

Considering refinancing or buying a home? UNPLUG YOUR SHREDDER!

August 23, 2013 by Leave a Comment

2013-06-15_0831_001If you are like me, you probably shred just about any documents that has your personal information on it…it’s just habit or second nature. I often sort through my mail right next to our shredder.  If you are considering buying a home or refinancing your current mortgage, this is a practice you will need to reconsider.

The mortgage process will require that you provide all sorts of documentation.

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A compromise for waiving your escrow reserve account

September 26, 2012 by 1 Comment

moneyclockmortgageporterAn escrow reserve account is used to collect and “reserve” the real estate taxes and home owners insurance portion of your monthly mortgage payment for when your taxes and insurance bills are due. In Washington state, property taxes are paid twice a year and home owners insurance is paid annually.

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What Do You Need for a Preapproval?

February 16, 2012 by 5 Comments

preapprovalIf you’re considering buying a home, many real estate agents and/or sellers will require a preapproval letter. A preapproval letter is different than being “prequalified”. Being prequalifed means that you have provided verbal information to a mortgage originator to get an idea of what you qualify for. Being preapproved means that you are providing documentation that supports the information you have provided. Income, employment, assets and credit are verified for a preapproval.

Some preapproval letters aren’t worth the paper they’re written on. Especially if the mortgage originator you’re working with does not require supporting documentation before preparing the letter. If you have not provided supporting documentation (listed below) to your mortgage originator – you’re probably just prequalified and not actually preapproved.

Here is a list of documents you may be required to provide in order to obtain a preapproval:

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Filed Under: First Time Home Buyer, Residential Purchase, The Mortgage Process Tagged With: , , , , , , ,
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