What Do You Need for a Preapproval?

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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Explaining the “Letter of Explanation”

preapprovalIt’s not unusual these days to have a lender request a “letter of explanation” from a home buyer or someone who is refinancing their current property.  I letter of explanation (or LOE) is often used to help provide more information to the underwriter or lender based on information that is disclosed on an application or credit report. LOE’s may address anything from gaps in employment to inquires on a credit report and is intended to help explain or add support to the transaction. If a borrower has had an extenuating circumstance and is trying to have an exception made to an underwriting guideline, they may be asked to write a LOE.

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How to Shop for Title Insurance or Escrow in Washington

I’m often asked by my clients if they can select their title or escrow provider and the answer is a big YES!  Some feel that title and escrow fees are all within a close range and this simply isn’t the case. I have seen fees for these services vary by hundreds of dollars.

Here are some pointers you may find helpful if you are interested in shopping for your title or escrow provider:

Know how your rates are priced.  With escrow on a purchase transaction, you will need to provide the sales price and let the escrow company know if there’s going to be a second mortgage or if a courtesy signing may be required or if it’s a short sale. It’s important to ask the escrow company for ALL of their fees. I’ve received quotes from an independent escrow company in Ballard where they try to pad their quotes with a $200 “miscellaneous fee” just in case something “pops up” during the transaction.  Ask the escrow company if the fee is the “full” fee or your “half”. Typically, in Washington the buyer and seller split the escrow fee. 

NOTE: If your escrow provider is a title company, most offer a significant discount on their title fees when title and escrow are at the same company with a purchase. This discount often applies to both buyer and seller.  Using two different title companies for title and escrow services seems like money flying out the window to me.

If your transaction is a refinance, typically the escrow company just needs the loan amount. As with a purchase, ask for “all” their fees. Do they charge a reconveyance processing fee, wire fee or courier fees (also possible with purchase transactions). 

Have the escrow company provide your quotes in writing – they should be able to easily email this to you.

With title insurance, the company will need to know your sales price and loan amount. For a refinance, they just need your proposed loan amount. They will also need to know which county the property is located.  In Washington, the seller typically pays for the owners policy and the buyer pays for the lenders policy.  With a refinance, the buyer pays for the lenders policy.  

Ask for possible discounts. Some title companies will provide an additional discount if you title is placed electronically via their website.

Start early. You’ll want to obtain your quotes before your purchase and sales agreement is drafted.  If you’re involved with a purchase transaction, real estate agents will try to direct where the title and escrow services are placed. Sometimes this is a legitimate concern where the agent has received excellent service from their escrow and title team and/or it could be that one of the real estate brokerages have an ownership interest in the title or escrow company (see below). Regardless, the consumer does have the right to select these service providers.  Some title or escrow companies may insist on needing a signed purchase and sales agreement before providing a quote which is not needed if you provide the above information (sales price, loan amount and county the property is located in).

If your transaction is a refinance, let your mortgage originator know that you would like to shop for these services at your loan application.

NOTE: Mortgage companies may have ownership interest in an escrow company as well. You are not required to use them – it is your choice!

Ask for recommendations. Talk to your real estate agent and mortgage originators about who they like to work with and why. Does their company have an ownership interest in these providers? Will the escrow company do amazing back flips to make sure your transaction closes smoothly and on time?  Ask your family or friends who have recently closed a transaction, who they used for title or escrow providers.

Know the relationships. A few of the big real estate brokerages have interest in title and escrow companies. In the greater Seattle area, we have the following large real estate brokerages who continue to maintain an interest in title or escrow companies:

  • Coldwell Banker Bain: Rainier Title; and Escrow Professionals of Washington (EPOW
  • Windermere: CW Title (formerly known as Commonwealth of the Pacific)

According to Northwest Title Company’s website, one or more principals at Routh, Crabtree, Olsen, PS, a firm located in Bellevue which does significant REO (foreclosure) escrow business, have interest in Northwest Title Company.

Higher fees does not always equate to better service.  I’ve seen some escrow companies that charge significantly more than what I would consider to be a fair market price. They may try to justify this because they have attorneys on staff or because the property is a short sale or foreclosure – ask why.  I have no problem with anyone being compensated for work performed as long as it is a fair market price.

Some companies make it easier for you to shop than others with rate sheets or calculators posted on their websites. I still recommend giving the title or escrow company a friendly phone call followed up with an email to obtain your personal quote in writing. I’m amazed at the lack of service I sometimes find when I call a title or escrow company to obtain a quote for my Good Faith Estimates.

I used to have my preferred title and escrow providers listed on this blog, however DFI felt that this was a potential violation of respa since they viewed it as free advertising even though I had a link to all title and escrow companies and encouraged consumers to shop. 

Bottom line: consumers are paying for these services and are free to exercise their right to shop for and select their title and escrow providers. 

What Determines How Much Home You Qualify For – Part 2: Funds for Closing

piggybankbeltIn Part 1 of this series, I reveal that home buyers qualify for the mortgage payment first based on their income.  The next major factor is the down payment and funds for closing.  Some may say that the down payment more important than the mortgage payment, however the down payment actually can be a variable; one may be able to obtain gift funds to increase a down payment.  You cannot change your income unless you add more qualified borrowers.

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What Determines How Much Home You Qualify to Buy: Part 1 – Your Payment

seesawPreapproval letters typically begin stating that a home buyer has been qualified or preapproved to buy a home priced at specific amount.  What it really boils down to is how much mortgage payment the home buyer qualifies for based on the borrowers monthly income and the debt to income ratio that is being allowed by the program guidelines.   Your proposed mortgage payment determines the loan amount that you’re qualified for.   Add the funds to cover your down payment less the closing cost and you’ll have the sales price.

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The Mortgage Process: Contemplating Buying a Home to Getting Preapproved

For a while now, I’ve had this idea floating around in my head that with four years of articles at Mortgage Porter, I really should organize the post by the actual mortgage process.  Right now, my blog is traditionally organized chronologically and by categories.  I’m not changing that at all…what I am planning on doing is reposting the articles I most commonly refer to for my clients in an order that follows the mortgage process.  This will be a post I will continue to update with new content via links to the article…it’s a work in progress!  

In my opinion, someone considering buying a home should start researching the process months before actually entering into a purchase and sales agreement.  So that’s where we’ll start:

Considering Buying a Home?

Getting on Track to Buy Your Home

Basic Tips for Homebuyers

How Much Home Can I Afford?

That new car with cost you!

Tips for Improving Your Credit Score

Game Plan for if your credit score is low.

Getting Preapproved

Are You Really Preapproved or just Prequalified?

Debt to Income Ratios (aka DTI)

Do I Really Have to Provide All Pages of My Bank Statements?

What is required to document income?

Documentation for Self Employed or Commissioned Paid Borrowers

Why it pays to get preapproved early:  You may think you know your credit score

Preapproval Letters Defined

What should a preapproval letter contain?

Relocating to Washington State and getting preapproved for a mortgage

Is my Preapproval Letter Still Valid wth all the Rate Changes?

Planning Your Funds for Closing

Funds for closing when you’re buying a home

How much do I need for a down payment?

Gifts from Parents:  FHA and Conventional

We’ve just started the process with this post addressing considering buying a home to getting preapproved!  Watch for future post where I’ll organize articles I’ve written on being in a transaction.