The 5 Steps to Get Your Loan Application Approved
Getting a mortgage or other loan approved can be challenging. There are many factors to consider, from your credit score and down payment, to the type of property you’re financing and your loan officer’s knowledge and experience in the specific lending market.
With so many variables, getting an approval can seem like a difficult challenge rather than a systematic process that anyone can tackle successfully.
However, if you follow the right steps and focus on what matters most when applying for a mortgage or other loan, you will increase your chances of approval. Follow these five outlined steps to help make your loan application approval process as smooth as possible.
Conduct thorough research Loan Application
Before you even think about applying for a mortgage, you should have a clear goal in mind.
Not only will this help you pinpoint what your needs are and try to meet them, but it will also help you determine if a particular loan product is right for you and your situation.
Knowing where you are going will help you focus your efforts on the right steps to get there. Identify what type of loan you would like to apply for, such as a mortgage to purchase a home, a business loan to finance a new start-up, or a vehicle loan to purchase a car.
This will help narrow your search, as well as give you a better idea of the types of loans available. Once you have a better idea of what you want, you can start looking for more information about how to apply and the process involved.
Prepare a well-written loan application
With all of the information you need to apply for a loan in one place, you may be tempted to skip the details.
While you will likely have to write your application in the appropriate format, you don’t have to come across as if you have never read a form before. Use your application to convey everything you need a lender to know about you, your spouse, business or property.
Use headings to separate sections, as well as bulleted lists to help you get your application across clearly and concisely. If you are missing certain information, or if you are applying for a loan that doesn’t quite fit your situation, add it in.
However, keep in mind the overall message you intend to convey. An application filled with irrelevant details and omissions won’t convey your seriousness or seriousness of a potential loan.
Meet with your loan officer to understand your options
When you have all of your paperwork together and are ready to submit your loan application, make sure you meet with your loan officer to review your package and understand your options.
This way, you will know exactly what your loan officer knows about you and your situation. Since different lenders have different requirements, you want to make sure you understand what is required from you, so that you can be as prepared as possible when you go in to meet with them.
While you may be excited that your loan application has been submitted and you’re on the way to getting a loan, there are still steps to take before closing. The loan process can be a little daunting, but with a little preparation you can make it as smooth as possible.
Negotiate the terms of your loan and set up a closing date
When you meet with your loan officer and review your loan package, be sure to discuss your terms and the terms of the loan.
Make it clear what you are willing to offer, so that your loan officer has a clear understanding of what they have to offer you. Once you have negotiated the terms of your loan, you have a very short period of time to set up a closing date.
Each financial institution has a specific timeframe in which a loan must be closed, so make sure you find out what that timeframe is for your loan and plan accordingly.
The sooner you can get everything in order, the sooner you can start enjoying your new purchase or business.
Checklist – things to do before closing
Before you get to the closing table, be sure you have completed all of your required paperwork. For example, you will need to provide proof of your Social Security number, as well as any other required documentation to ensure your loan goes through.
Depending on the type of loan you are applying for, you may also be required to provide a deposit, such as a cashier’s check or money order, or a letter of credit.
Make sure you have all of your paperwork in order and ready to go before the closing table, so that you don’t have any last-minute issues to deal with. At the closing table, you will have a few things to keep an eye on.
While a lender’s representative may be there to help you navigate the process, they are still bankers and they still have to close the deal. Make sure to stay on top of any and all of their instructions, so that you don’t miss any important steps.
Once the transaction is complete, your loan will be in your hands and able to be used for whatever purpose you intend.
The final step
Unfortunately, you can’t change the past. If you missed a step or did something wrong when applying for your loan, you can’t go back and correct it.
However, you can use your experience applying for a loan to improve the next time around. By following the steps above, you will be better prepared for the loan application process and have a higher chance of getting your loan approved.
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