Mortgage FAQ

The right program depends on the property, occupancy, down payment or equity, income documentation, loan amount, expected ownership period, and other qualifications. Start by comparing the purpose and trade-offs of available options on the Loan Programs page.

A useful first conversation often includes your property goal, timeline, estimated price or current mortgage balance, income sources, cash available for closing, credit questions, and any unique property or documentation circumstances.

Starting before you make an offer can give you time to review financing options, documents, and a realistic purchase range. The best timing depends on your target property and transaction plan.

Pre-approval is a more detailed mortgage review that can include credit, income, assets, and supporting documentation. It provides a stronger starting point than an informal estimate, but it is not final approval or a commitment to lend.

No. Final approval depends on the full loan application, updated documentation, property review, appraisal when applicable, underwriting, and satisfaction of all required conditions.

Timing depends on the completeness of the file, the transaction, and document availability. A prompt response to document requests can help the process move more efficiently.

Down payment requirements vary by program, property, occupancy, credit profile, and borrower qualifications. Some eligible programs can allow lower down payments, while others require more funds or reserves. Review the full purchase budget, including closing costs and prepaids.

Closing costs can include lender, title, appraisal, recording, prepaid, escrow, and other transaction-specific charges. The amount and categories vary by property, loan, location, and program. Formal disclosures provide the transaction-specific figures.

Credit can affect available loan options, pricing, approval review, and required documentation. The full credit profile and program requirements matter, not just one score.

Ask your mortgage professional before opening, closing, or using credit differently during a mortgage review. Changes can affect the file and may require updated analysis.

Documentation can include pay stubs, W-2s, tax returns, business documents, bank statements, and other records. The exact request depends on the borrower’s income type, program, property, and underwriting review.

Self-employed borrowers may have mortgage options, including programs that use different documentation approaches when available. Income history, business documentation, deposits, assets, property, and program guidelines all matter.

Condo financing can involve both unit and project review. Association financials, insurance, reserves, assessments, property condition, and program requirements can affect eligibility. Start the condo review early.

Eligible investment properties can be financed through programs designed for investor situations. Down payment, reserves, income, property cash flow, documentation, and pricing can differ from a primary residence.

Eligible foreign-national buyers may have financing options. Documentation, assets, reserves, property use, and program availability vary, so a tailored discussion is important.

Refinancing replaces an existing mortgage with a new mortgage. It can change the rate, term, payment, loan structure, or access to eligible equity, depending on the transaction.

Cash-out refinancing replaces an existing mortgage with a larger new mortgage and may provide eligible proceeds after the existing payoff and transaction costs. It is subject to appraisal, program, property, and borrower requirements.

Rate-and-term refinancing focuses on changing the mortgage rate, repayment term, or loan structure. Unlike cash-out refinancing, accessing equity is not the primary goal.

Timing depends on the transaction type, contract deadlines, document readiness, appraisal, property conditions, insurance, title, underwriting, and responsiveness to requests. Each transaction is different.

Underwriting is the detailed review of the loan file under applicable guidelines. An underwriter evaluates documentation, property information, and the transaction, then may issue conditions that need to be addressed.

Conditional approval means the loan file is progressing subject to specific conditions. It is not the same as clear to close. Conditions must be completed and accepted before final lending approval.

Clear to close means the required lending conditions have been met and the transaction can proceed to scheduled closing steps. Final logistics and closing documents still need to be completed.