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Starting Your Mortgage Application
First, Thank You!
We appreciate the opportunuity to assist with your home finance goals. We'll do our best to make the process as simple and pleasant as possible. 
To that end, completing an initial application shouldn't be a hassle. The whole process really should take fifteen minutes or less. Of course, the detail (there are always details, right?) is the application is based on software and software always has it's idiosyncracies. This software isnt any different, but we've gone through and made notes about those oddball behaviors so you don't have to waste time learning the tricks yourself.
Starting at the beginning
There is a toolbar across the top of the page here. Just click on "Loan Application". A second, secured page will open. From here, you’ll have the opportunity to create your own encrypted and secure, personal website file.
Successfully completing the mortgage application -
- Make a note of your private ID and password. When you start the application, the website creates a file just for you. When you come back to the file in the future, having those handy will make getting back in a much easier process.
- Save the website as one of your favorites – at least ‘til you obtain your new mortgage. Having it marked as a favorite will save time when you go to your personal file to get documents, update info, etc…
- Complete the disclosures in the beginning of the application. Our company policy is that we must have your permission in writing before pulling a credit report. Federal law requires your written permission to provide mortgage information to you electronically. The online disclosures allow you sign with a digital signature based on your computer ID and are a legally acceptable alternative to a hand-written signature.
Pay attention to:
-- the loan amount: The application requires a dollar amount in this space. No idea? Just put $1.00. That will satisfy the software and let you move forward without hassle.
-- the year the property was built in the property information section. It’s a required entry on the application, but not something you’re expected to know at this point. Input this year and we’ll update it once we have accurate info.
-- Dates: Be certain to enter dates as MM/DD/YYYY, like 10/31/2007 (October 31st) or 02/14/2007 (February 14th). The software is pretty sticky on this point and entering it otherwise can result in frustration.
Don’t worry about:
-- Having details on the numbers. If, as an example, you have $9,876.54 in your savings account, just round it down to a reasonable number like $9,500.00. It's always better to err on the side of a conservative estimate, financially, rather than bumping up the numbers.
-- Non-liquid assets like a car. Even tho' these have a value, their value in the mortgage process isn't nearly as important as it was when this Federal form was put together twenty plus years ago.
Don't waste your time trying to complete –
-- Proposed Housing Costs – that’s my job
-- The liabilities section (personal debts like credit cards, etc...). I'll pull that information directly from the credit report. 
Remember –
-- to save your work at the end of each page. Failure to do so can result in loss of information – that’s a needless frustration and a waste of your time.
-- to complete the declarations section on the last page. Forgetting to mark a key declaration (like specifying whether you are a US citizen) correctly can have unexpected consequences down the road.
And, finally -
-- Feel free to send any additional information you feel might be relevant. Having the information and not needing it is much better than not having it and later learning that info is impacting your ability to obtain a mortgage.
Once you've completed and submitted the application –
- The website sends an email telling me there is an application awaiting pick up. I'll retrieve the application, pull a credit report and touch bases with you to review them and determine how best to move forward.
If, at any point during the process, you have questions, feel free to touch bases. Now is the time to ask questions and be certain you are comfortable and understand the process.
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