Apply For a Loan

NEXT: Close the Loan

When you submit your loan application online or in person:

we combine the information on your application,

the results of your credit report,

the information about the property you want to buy,

and your proposed down payment to estimate your ability to pay the money back.

The loan approval process may happen within two weeks if you've already been pre-approved. The process can take 30 days or more if you haven't been pre-approved.

To improve your chances of loan approval:

• Fill out the loan application completely.
  The lender needs all this information to determine your creditworthiness. Make sure you have the documents you need ahead of time.
  
  
• Respond promptly.
  Don't put off responding to lender requests for additional documentation. Get the documents yourself if necessary.
  
  
• Don't go on a spending spree.
  Before the sale is scheduled to close, the lender may check your credit report for high credit card balances and your bank accounts to make sure you haven't drained them.
  
  
• Make sure the appraisal is done properly.
  For a home purchase loan, the lender will order an appraisal to ensure that you don't pay too much for the home you want to buy. If the appraisal is too low, you can fight the report to prevent the transaction from falling through.

GLOSSARY

appraisal An appraisal is a third-party estimate of the value of a piece of property at a particular point in time. It can affirm your offer price or block your transaction entirely. Understand how real estate appraisals and appraisers work so you can solve any problems that come up.