How long does it take to hear from an underwriter?

Asked by: Barry Hauck IV  |  Last update: February 11, 2022
Score: 4.8/5 (2 votes)

Depending on these factors, mortgage underwriting can take a day or two, or it can take weeks. Under normal circumstances, initial underwriting approval happens within 72 hours of submitting your full loan file. In extreme scenarios, this process could take as long as a month.

How long are underwriters taking?

Generally speaking though, mortgage underwriting should take no longer than 3-4 working days and almost all applications are complete within a week - though this can easily be extended if more information is requested.

What happens when your loan goes to the underwriter?

Underwriting simply means that your lender verifies your income, assets, debt and property details in order to issue final approval for your loan. An underwriter is a financial expert who takes a look at your finances and assesses how much risk a lender will take on if they decide to give you a loan.

Why is underwriting taking so long?

Underwriting is the most intense review. This is when the mortgage lender's underwriter (or underwriting department) reviews all paperwork relating to the loan, the borrower, and the property being purchased. ... It's another reason why mortgage lenders take so long to approve loans.

How long does it take underwriter to clear to close?

Clear To Close: At Least 3 Days

Once the underwriter has determined that your loan is fit for approval, you'll be cleared to close. At this point, you'll receive a Closing Disclosure.

How long does it take for the underwriter to make a decision?

23 related questions found

Is no news good news in underwriting?

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.

How often do underwriters deny loans?

One in every 10 applications to buy a new house — and a quarter of refinancing applications — get denied, according to 2018 data from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.

Can you talk to the underwriter?

Underwriters Cannot Directly Ask You Anything

It is important to note that underwriters should not be in actual contact with you. All questions and discussions should be handled through your lender or loan officer. An underwriter talking to you directly, or even knowing you personally, is a conflict of interest.

How can I speed up my underwriting process?

The best way to speed up the process is to make sure your paperwork for the lender or underwriter is complete, which should allow your loan to sail through in as little as two to three days—if you're lucky, even in a single day.

Is underwriting the last step?

No, underwriting is not the final step in the mortgage process. You still have to attend closing to sign a bunch of paperwork, and then the loan has to be funded. ... The underwriter might request additional information, such as banking documents or letters of explanation (LOE).

How long does it take for the underwriter to make a decision?

The underwriting process typically takes between three to six weeks. In many cases, a closing date for your loan and home purchase will be set based on how long the lender expects the mortgage underwriting process to take.

How long does final approval take?

Final Approval & Closing Disclosure Issued: Approximately 5 Days, Including a Mandatory 3 Day Cooling Off Period. Your appraisal and any loan conditions will go back through underwriting for a review and final sign off.

Can your loan be denied at closing?

Though it's rare, a mortgage can be denied after the borrower signs the closing papers. For example, in some states, the bank can fund the loan after the borrower closes. ... During this time frame, borrowers have the right to back out of the loan, so the bank may hold off on wiring the money right away.

What comes after underwriting?

Once your loan goes through underwriting, you'll either receive final approval and be clear to close, be required to provide more information (this is referred to as “decision pending”), or your loan application may be denied.

Do underwriters want to approve loans?

An underwriter will approve or reject your mortgage loan application based on your credit history, employment history, assets, debts and other factors. It's all about whether that underwriter feels you can repay the loan that you want. ... But a seasoned loan originator is the integral part of the whole process, he says.

Do underwriters work weekends?

It depends on the work load and the company. Working weekends is required sometimes. A smaller company or broker may be more inclined to underwrite on weekends.

What is the fastest you can close a mortgage?

LoanDepot is offering what may be the fastest quick-closing mortgage in the race. Their new product, mello smartloan, an end-to-end digital mortgage, offers qualified borrowers a home loan in as few as eight days, a feat that seems almost impossible to long-time players in the real estate industry.

Is final approval the same as clear to close?

Your loan officer will submit all your conditions back to the underwriter, who should then issue a “clear to close,” which means you're ready to sign loan documents. This last verification is your final approval.

Why does it take so long to close on a home?

Largely due to the real estate market as well as the lending institution, this can easily extend to a month and a half, even two months. For example, in a normal market, many lenders are averaging just 30 days. Larger banks and credit unions, on the other hand, will often take longer than your average mortgage lender.

Do underwriters look at spending habits?

Banks check your credit report for outstanding debts, including loans and credit cards and tally up the monthly payments. ... Bank underwriters check these monthly expenses and draw conclusions about your spending habits.

Do underwriters work evenings?

Underwriting is typically a desk job with a standard 40-hour workweek, although overtime may be required as determined by each underwriting project. Evening and weekend hours are not uncommon. Working with computers and technology is a vital part of underwriting.

How can I get my mortgage underwriters approved?

What is mortgage underwriting?
  1. Step 1: Complete your mortgage application. The first step is to fill out a loan application. ...
  2. Step 2: Be patient with the review process. ...
  3. Step 3: Get an appraisal. ...
  4. Step 4: Protect your investment. ...
  5. Step 5: The underwriter will make an informed decision. ...
  6. Step 6: Close with confidence.

Are underwriters strict?

Today, trained underwriters follow strict black-and-white guidelines intended to protect borrowers from taking on more mortgage responsibility than is safe for them. In other words, the guidelines help prevent borrowers from later defaulting on their loan.

How difficult is underwriting?

An underwriter's job is difficult. According to a risk assessment, they should establish the acceptable degree of danger and what one is permitted to acknowledge. When evaluating complicated circumstances, an underwriter may need to conduct an extensive study and gather much data.

Can underwriters make exceptions?

There are typically two types of loan exceptions: 1) Policy exceptions and 2) underwriting exceptions. ... When a borrowers credit score, debt-to-income ratio, or loan-to-value ratio do not meet the organization's defined standards, an underwriting exception occurs.