A properly documented loan application makes your loan process go smoothly. This checklist will help you understand the whole process of getting your home loan.

1. We’ll help you fill out a Form 1003 in order to fully document your ability to buy.
2. If you are salaried: provide W-2's for the previous two years and one month of paystubs. If you are self-employed, provide tax returns for the previous two years, including all schedules, and a YTD profit and loss statement.
3. In order to verify assets, provide bank statements for the most recent three months, and recent statements for stock, mutual funds and IRA/401K accounts.
4. If applicable, provide a copy of your divorce decree and settlement agreement.
5. If you are NOT a US citizen, provide a copy of your green card (front & back). If you are NOT a permanent resident provide a copy of your H-1 or L-1 visa.
6. If any borrower has filed bankruptcy, provide the Discharge Notice, Filing and Schedule of Creditors.

Getting qualified before you apply for a loan can help you understand how much you can borrow.

When buying a home, you may be pre-qualified or pre-approved. You can be pre-qualified over the phone or on the Internet in a few minutes. Pre-qualification is not as useful as pre-approval. Pre-approval requires a more rigorous process, including verification of your credit, income, assets and liabilities. It is highly recommended that you be pre-approved before you start looking for a home.

Being pre-approved will:

1. Inform you of your maximum affordable home value, and save you from previewing properties outside your price range.
2. Put you in a stronger negotiating position with the seller, because the seller will know your loan is pre-approved.
3. Help you close quickly, since your loan is pre-approved.

What loan program is best for your situation? I can teach you all about different loan programs in order to find the one that is just right for you.

1. Think about how long you plan to keep the loan. If you plan to sell your home in a few years, you may want to consider an adjustable rate or interest only. If you plan to keep your home for a longer time, you may want to consider a fixed rate loan.
2. Compare different loan programs. With so many programs to choose from, it's hard to figure out which program is best for you. During our consultation I will help you find a loan program that best fits your short- and long-term plans.

Once your loan application has been received, we can start the loan approval process immediately. This involves verifying your:

• Credit history
• Employment history
• Assets including your bank accounts, stocks, mutual fund and retirement accounts
• Property value

To improve your chances of getting a loan approval:

• Respond promptly to any requests for additional documents. This is especially critical if your rate is locked or if you plan to close by a certain date.
• Do not make any major purchases. Do not buy a car, furniture or another house till your loan is closed.
• Anything that causes your debts to increase might have an adverse affect on your current application.
• Do not move money into your bank accounts unless it can be traced. If you are receiving money from friends, family or other relatives, please contact us.
• Do not go out of town around the closing date. If you do plan to be out of town when your loan is expected to close, you may sign a power of attorney, to authorize another individual to sign on your behalf.

After your loan is approved, you will be required to sign the final loan documents. This will normally take place in the presence of a notary public. Be prepared to:

• Bring a cashiers check for your down payment and closing costs if required. Personal checks are normally NOT accepted.
• Review the final loan documents. Make sure that the interest rate and loan terms are what you were promised. Also, verify the accuracy of the name and address on the loan documents.
• Sign the loan documents. The notary will require that you have your picture ID with you.

Your loan will normally close shortly after you have signed the loan documents. On refinance and home equity loan transactions, federal law requires that you have three days to review the documents before your loan transaction can close. Purchase transactions do not have a three day rescission period.