A small first step. A complete financing conversation.
From your first question to a reviewed preapproval.
Start with the short questionnaire
Tell us your goal, timing and a few details in about two minutes. This first step has no credit pull and helps us prepare for the initial conversation.
Complete the prequalification
After our initial call, share two years of residential and employment history plus income and asset information by phone or through an emailed secure link. This usually takes about 10 minutes and includes an authorized soft credit pull.
See your options with Matt
Meet over Zoom for a 30–45-minute Mortgage Strategy Review. Compare the numbers visually, ask questions and choose whether you want to move forward. First-time buyers typically spend about 45 minutes; experienced homeowners about 30 minutes.
Provide your tailored documents
If you choose documented preapproval, we send the records needed for your situation. You do not need to guess which documents apply. Upload sensitive records through the secure link we provide.
Complete the file review
Courtney reviews income, assets, credit and supporting documents before a preapproval letter is issued. We typically target completion within 24 hours of receiving a complete, straightforward file; unresolved questions or lender underwriting can take longer.
Prepare the letter and the offer
Confirm the payment, cash to close, loan assumptions and remaining conditions for the home you are considering. We coordinate with your real estate agent and may seek lender TBD underwriting when appropriate and available.
See the loan choices side by side.
Your Mortgage Strategy Review goes beyond a rate quote. Matt uses visual mortgage-planning software to show how available programs, different down payments and purchase prices affect your complete monthly payment, cash to close and costs.
We can compare scenarios over the timeframe that matters to you—whether that is one, two, three, four, five, seven, 10 or 15 years. The analysis helps you weigh upfront costs, ongoing costs and cash reserves using stated assumptions. Future rates, refinancing and financial outcomes are not guaranteed.
- Include taxes, insurance, HOA dues and mortgage insurance where applicable.
- Compare eligible loan programs and options across multiple lenders.
- Test different price points and down payments without treating the maximum loan amount as your target budget.
- Compare seller credits, closing costs, discount points and temporary buydowns when relevant.
Explore our 2-1 and 3-2-1 buydown guide and calculator or how we compare written loan costs.
What should I prepare for preapproval?
After the loan-options meeting, you decide whether to proceed. We send a document list based on your income, assets and selected financing path. Common requests include:
- Income records: pay stubs and W-2s, or tax returns and business records when required for self-employed or other income.
- Asset records: bank statements and documentation of the funds you plan to use.
- File-specific information: explanations or records needed to resolve income, employment, credit or other questions.
Different programs require different documentation. Use our secure upload link for sensitive records; you do not need to send financial documents through the short website questionnaire.
Related guidance: self-employed mortgages and complex borrower financing.
Can my file be underwritten before I make an offer?
Sometimes. Courtney’s document review is designed to identify potential issues early and support a well-reviewed preapproval. When a file needs a lender’s decision, we may submit it for to-be-determined-property (TBD) underwriting before you are under contract, where the lender and program allow it.
TBD underwriting is separate from our team’s review. It may be useful for self-employed borrowers, variable income, employment changes or complex assets. Ask us whether it is available for your situation and what the lender has approved.
A preapproval or TBD review is not a guarantee of final approval. The selected home, appraisal, title, insurance, remaining conditions and updated borrower information must still satisfy the lender. Condo or HOA eligibility can require a separate project review.
Buying a condo? See our condo and HOA financing guidance.
Know the loan milestones before the contract clock starts.
Matt also walks buyers through the purchase process and the deadlines that affect financing. Your contract, property and loan program control the timing. The general path after an accepted offer is:
Contract and earnest money
Send us the signed contract promptly. Confirm the financing deadlines with your agent and deliver earnest money according to the contract.
Inspection, disclosures and insurance
Complete the inspection, review applicable disclosures and obtain homeowners insurance information early. Coverage or property questions can affect financing.
Appraisal and underwriting
The lender reviews the borrower, property and loan file. An appraisal is separate from a home inspection and does not guarantee the property’s condition.
Conditions and final approval
Respond to requests for updated records or explanations. Discuss new debt, large deposits or employment changes with the loan team before making changes.
Closing Disclosure and funds
Review the final terms and cash needed to close. Independently verify wiring instructions with the title company using a trusted phone number before sending funds.
Sign, fund and receive the keys
Complete signing and any remaining funding requirements. Ownership and key delivery follow the contract and title company’s closing instructions.
Pay particular attention to the appraisal deadline, loan-availability deadline and closing date. Depending on your contract and circumstances, missed financing deadlines may put earnest money at risk. This overview does not replace your contract, legal advice or title instructions.
Still shopping? Refresh the plan before your next offer.
An earlier letter is based on a snapshot of your finances and loan assumptions. Before making an offer, tell us about changes to employment, income, debts, assets, credit or down-payment funds. We can confirm the letter’s validity and remaining conditions.
Recheck the complete payment and cash to close for the specific home, including the current rate assumption, taxes, insurance, HOA dues, mortgage insurance and seller credits. A preapproval does not lock your interest rate; confirm any rate lock separately.