Banking & Savings, Insights, Mortgages & Renting

What Does It Mean When a Loan Is in Underwriting?

flik eco finance personal what does it mean when my loan is in underwriting

When you're applying for a loan, the last thing you want to hear is that your loan is in underwriting. What does that mean, and what will it do to your application? In this article, we'll explain what it means when a loan is in underwriting, what you can expect during the process, and what you need to do to make sure your loan gets approved.

What Does It Mean When a Loan Is in Underwriting Table of Contents

What Does It Mean When a Loan Is in Underwriting?

What Are The Different Stages of The Loan Application Process?

How Long Will My Loan Be In The Underwriting Stage For?

Can My Loan Application Be Denied During Underwriting?

What Happens if My Loan Is Denied During Underwriting?

Do Underwriters Usually Approve Loans?

What Can I Do To Speed Up The Underwriting Process?

Should I Be Worried About Underwriting?

What Does It Mean When a Loan Is in Underwriting?

When you apply for a mortgage, the lender will go through a process called underwriting to determine whether or not to approve your loan. Underwriting is the final step in the mortgage approval process, and it can take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks.

So what does it mean when your loan is in underwriting? It means that the lender is reviewing your financial information and making sure that you are eligible for the loan. The underwriter will also verify that the property you are buying is worth what you are paying for it.

If everything looks good, then the loan will be approved and you will be able to close on your home. If there are any issues, the underwriter may ask for more information or may deny the loan.

If you are in the process of getting a mortgage, it is important to be patient and wait for the underwriter to finish their job. Once your loan is approved, you will be one step closer to owning your dream home!

What Are The Different Stages of The Loan Application Process?

The loan process has many different stages, from pre-qualification all the way to post-closing. In between, there are a number of important milestones along the way. Here's a look at the key steps in the loan process:

Pre-qualification

The pre-qualification stage is the very first step in the loan process, and it's when you provide your lender with some basic information about your financial situation. Based on this information, the lender will give you an idea of what size loan you may qualify for.

Application

The next step is to complete a loan application form. This form will ask for more detailed information about your income, debts, and assets. Once you've submitted your completed application, your lender will begin the process of verifying your information.

Verification

This is when your lender will ask for documentation to verify the information you provided on your application form. This may include things like pay stubs, tax returns, and bank statements.

Underwriting

Once your lender has all the necessary documentation, it's time for underwriting. This is when a loan officer reviews your file to determine whether or not you qualify for the loan. If everything looks good, they'll give you what's called a "clear to close." If there are any issues, they'll work with you to try to find a solution.

Closing

The final step in the loan process is closing. This is when all of the paperwork is signed and the loan is officially funded. Once everything is finalized, you'll be the proud owner of your new home!

How Long Will My Loan Be In The Underwriting Stage For?

The underwriting stage can last anywhere from a few days to a few weeks. The timeline is different for each individual loan and is dependent on several factors, including:

  • The type of loan
  • The amount of the loan
  • The complexity of the application
  • Whether you are working with a direct lender or a mortgage broker
  • How quickly you submit required documentation

A good rule of thumb is to expect your loan to be in underwriting for at least one week. However, be prepared for it to take longer if any issues arise or if your application is complex. What Happens During The Underwriting Stage?

Once your loan officer has submitted your application and all supporting documentation to the underwriter, the underwriter will begin their review.

The underwriter's job is to determine whether or not you are a good risk for the lender. They will look at several factors, including:

  • Your credit score
  • Your employment history
  • Your income and debts
  • The value of the property you are buying
  • The type of loan you are applying for

The underwriter may ask for additional documentation during this process, such as tax returns or bank statements.

Once they have all the information they need, they will make a decision to approve, deny, or suspend your loan. If your loan is approved, congratulations!

Can My Loan Application Be Denied During Underwriting?

Yes, your loan application can be denied during underwriting. There are a number of reasons why this could happen, but the most common is that the underwriter has found something in your financial history that raises a red flag.

This could be anything from a late payment on your credit report to a bankruptcy in your past. If you have any questions about why your loan was denied, you should contact your lender for more information.

What Happens if My Loan Is Denied During Underwriting?

If your loan is denied during underwriting, don't despair. You will likely just need to provide more documentation to the underwriter in order to get approved.

This could include things like proof of income or bank statements. Once you have provided the required documentation, the underwriter will take another look at your loan application and make a decision.

If you are denied for a loan, you may also want to consider applying for a different type of loan.

There are many different types of loans available, so you may be able to find one that better suits your needs.

For example, if you have bad credit, you may want to apply for a secured loan instead of an unsecured loan. A secured loan requires collateral, such as a car or house, which can help you get approved even with bad credit.

Do Underwriters Usually Approve Loans?

Underwriters Approve most loans that they receive. In fact, approximately 80% of loan applications are approved by underwriters.

The other 20% of loan applications are either denied or suspended. If your loan is denied, you will likely need to provide more documentation to the underwriter in order for them to approve your loan.

If your loan is suspended, it means that the underwriter needs more information from you before they can make a decision. This could be anything from proof of income to bank statements.

Once you have provided the required documentation, the underwriter will take another look at your loan application and make a decision.

What Can I Do To Speed Up The Underwriting Process?

There are a few things you can do to speed up the underwriting process:

Work With a Direct Lender

Working with a direct lender can help speed up the underwriting process because they will have all of the information they need to make a decision.

Submit Required Documentation Quickly

The quicker you submit required documentation, the sooner the underwriter will be able to make a decision on your loan.

Be Prepared for Questions

The underwriter may have questions about your financial history or the property you are buying. Be prepared to answer these questions quickly so that your loan can be approved as soon as possible.

Should I Be Worried About Underwriting?

No, you should not be worried about underwriting. Underwriting is a normal part of the loan process and most loans are approved by underwriters.

If your loan is denied or suspended, you will likely just need to provide more documentation to the underwriter in order for them to approve your loan.

author-avatar

About Jermaine Hagan (The Plantsman)

Jermaine Hagan, also known as The Plantsman is the Founder of Flik Eco. Jermaine is the perfect hybrid of personal finance expert and nemophilist. On a mission to make personal finance simple and accessible, Jermaine uses his inside knowledge to help the average Joe, Kwame or Sarah to improve their lives. Before founding Flik Eco, Jermaine managed teams across several large financial companies, including Equifax, Admiral Plc, New Wave Capital & HSBC. He has been featured in several large publications including BBC, The Guardian & The Times.

Related Posts