THE MORTGAGE PROCESS · STEP 01 OF 06

Get organized for your application and understand the documents needed to review your mortgage options.

WATCH THE OVERVIEW

BE READY

The first step in the mortgage process is the documentation stage, where we review your income, assets, employment history, and other compensating factors to determine your ability to repay a mortgage loan.

This is also an opportunity for you to examine the overall financial impact that a new mortgage will have on your total monthly budget, so that you can choose a loan amount and mortgage program that you are most comfortable with.

Our goal is to obtain a speedy approval. The more thorough you are in preparing your paperwork, the faster we can move together on getting your loan approved and funded.

STAY ON TRACK

We believe communication is the key to a smooth mortgage process and we will hold your hand from the start all the way to closing.

While there are a number of factors outside of your control that can delay or prevent a home loan from closing, the following list will help you stay on the right path.

Do

  • Keep your records in good order
  • Keep your financial records close at hand
  • Be aware that we need to verify income documents
  • Save bank statements
  • Save paystubs

Avoid

  • Apply for new credit
  • Change jobs during the process
  • Make undocumented bank deposits
  • Payoff debt, charge offs of collections without notification
  • Hesitate to reach out and ask questions

While you are in the process of getting a new mortgage, keep your financial status as stable as possible until the loan is funded and recorded. Any number of minor changes could easily raise a red flag or cause a negative impact on a credit score, and we want to do everything we can to avoid a denied loan.

YOUR DOCUMENT CHECKLIST

Income & assets

  • W2’s – from the last two years
  • 1040 federal tax returns – from the last two years
  • Two recent pay stubs
  • Two recent bank statements – all pages
  • Self-Employed: K1 / 1099 / Profit and Loss YTD

Housing

  • Current and previous addresses for the previous 2 years
  • Leasing: name and phone number of landlord(s)
  • Investor: copy of lease agreements on rental properties

Identification

  • Copy of your driver’s license or state-issued ID for all borrowers

There may also be required documents we may need to review depending on your specific scenario.

BEFORE YOU SIGN

Explore the sample Loan Estimate and its key sections.

  • Key number to compare
  • Good to know
Sample Lending Co.
Loan Estimate Sample

Save this Loan Estimate to compare with your Closing Disclosure.

Date Issued
11/2/2026
Applicants
Sample Borrowers
Property
123 Example Lane, Anytown, ST 00000
Sale Price
$400,000
Loan Term
30 years
Purpose
Purchase
Product
Fixed Rate
Loan Type
Conventional
Loan ID #
000000000
Rate Lock
Yes, until 12/17/2026 at 5:00 p.m. EST

Before closing, your interest rate, points, and lender credits can change unless you lock the interest rate. All other estimated closing costs expire on 11/16/2026 at 5:00 p.m. EST.

Loan Terms

Can this amount increase after closing?
Loan Amount$360,000No
Interest Rate6.25%No
Monthly Principal & Interest$2,216.58No
Does the loan have these features?
Prepayment PenaltyNo
Balloon PaymentNo

Projected Payments

Payment Calculation Years 1-8 Years 9-30
Principal & Interest$2,216.58$2,216.58
Mortgage Insurance+ $150–
Estimated EscrowAmount can increase over time+ $550+ $550
Estimated Total Monthly Payment$2,917$2,767
Estimated Taxes, Insurance & AssessmentsThis estimate includesIn escrow?
$550 a monthProperty TaxesYES
Homeowner's InsuranceYES
Other:

You must pay for other property costs separately.

Costs at Closing

Estimated Closing Costs$11,360Includes $6,085 in Loan Costs + $5,275 in Other Costs - $0 in Lender Credits.
Estimated Cash to Close$41,360Includes closing costs. See Calculating Cash to Close on Page 2.

What each part means

Sample for education only. The figures are made up and are not an offer or a rate quote.

This is a simplified sample for education only. The figures are made up and are not an offer, a quote, or a commitment to lend. Your actual Loan Estimate will reflect your own loan, property, and location.

THE BIG PICTURE

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