What exactly does being a mortgage underwriter mean to you? How do one move from admiring a property to being a proud owner? It’s simple, Mortgaging!
And yes, the background job that goes on when you tender your application is basically all about the Mortgage underwriting process.
Basically, Being a mortgage underwriter is being in the position to approve or decline a mortgage loan application.
This carefully curated piece focuses on all you need to know about;
I. Being a mortgage underwriter
II. Mortgage underwriter salary
III. How to become a mortgage underwriter
IV. Mortgage underwriter training
V. Mortgage underwriter processes and
VI. Mortgage underwriter jobs.
Who is a mortgage underwriter?
A Mortgage underwriter is one who accesses the risk of lending money to you. Their job ranges from either approving, declining, or suspending your loan application.
As a loanee, A mortgage underwriter critically analyzes your financial and credit history to determine your competency in repaying your past loans and your financial ability for repayment.
Consequently, Mortgage underwriters ensure you don’t become a loanee when you barely have the capacity to refund at the speculated time.
Is mortgage underwriting a good career?
since over 50% of mortgage underwriters have a master’s degree, getting a master’s degree in one of the major things you should consider. Having experience in real estate will make your path to becoming a mortgage underwriter smooth
What is the Mortgage Underwriter Salary in the US?
Do mortgage underwriters make good money? Yes!
How good is the mortgage underwriter’s salary? Five to six figures especially when they are properly grounded in the act of underwriting all kinds of loans.
According to US Banks, The mortgage underwriter’s salary can be less than $50,000 if you are a junior underwriter. There’s a swift pay raise immediately if you become a senior underwriter.
Again, While some earn yearly, some others earn hourly!
Awesome right?
Not only but also, According to Forbes estimation, in cities like New York, New Jersey, etc, Insurance underwriters make the most money.
Note that, In the united states, the mortgage underwriter salary is approximately $69,000 yearly, while over 10% of the least of mortgage underwriter salary is approximately $48.86, the top 10% makes an average of $93.961!
How can you Become A Mortgage Underwriter?
Although most financial institutions would rather have candidates with B.Sc and M.Sc in financial management or any related course, there’s really no academic requirement to becoming a mortgage underwriter.
However, since over 50% of mortgage underwriters have a master’s degree, getting a master’s degree is one of the major things you should consider. Having experience in real estate will make your path to becoming a mortgage underwriter smooth!.
Meanwhile, having experience as a loan officer or senior underwriter is required. It’s one thing to need a job and another thing to be prepared for the opportunity.
Albeit, it’s a demanding job because you have to earn your pay but making an average of $33 per hour isn’t regular pay.
Specifically, Research has it that they mostly operate from an office desk where they work from 9 am- 5 pm or even late hours sometimes just to beat deadlines.
Therefore, becoming a mortgage underwriter simply means subscribing to extreme hard work and paying attention to the tiniest details.
Mortgage Underwriters Training.
Did I mention that mortgage underwriters are the ones in charge of the due diligence exercise and report? Well, I guess not.
This is why in becoming a mortgage underwriter, the mortgage underwriter training and certification aspect is very crucial.
This certification is earned by completing and passing the C.M.U course(Certified Mortgage Underwriter course) and its affiliate examination respectively.
These are some of the course outlines you tend to meet in the mortgage underwriters training.
- Issues associated with advanced and basic mortgage underwriting.
- Constituents on due diligence and due diligence reports.
- Scrutinization of tax returns and appraisals.
- A run-through of TRID, UDAAP, RESPA, TILA, and other lending laws.
- The strategy for computing income, LTV, etc.
- Coaching for conventional underwriting.
These courses you take during the mortgage underwriters training are there to aid you in risk assessment.
The mortgage underwriter training also ensures that beyond the loanee being fit for the loan’s requirement, their capacity to redeem the loan at the said time.
Consecutively, marketing your mortgaging ideas is also a skill that may need the mortgage underwriter training for you to be at the zenith of your mortgage underwriting career!
Here are some of the Courses in the training;
. Bootcamp for loan officers.
. Tools for mortgage marketing
. Prospecting ideas for mortgaging, etc.
Mortgage Underwriter Process.
There are things you should expect while undergoing the mortgage underwriting process to ensure a smooth ride all through the process.
Inasmuch as the process is quite a long one, you can choose to be equipped with the right information.
The mortgage underwriter process is what happens in the background when you submit your loan application.
These are some of the procedures in the mortgage underwriting process.
1. Conclude the mortgage application.
First off, because concise details about you make you either eligible for the Loan or not, you should ensure to fill your loan application form accurately.
Every point of the loan application is very unique, therefore, documents required for this to scale could vary and be much.
Here are the details that may be requested during this process.
- A valid ID
- A Proof of your other means of income.
- Federal tax returns
- Up to date bank statements
- Proof of your assets
- Specific information on previous lasting debts like student loans.
- Real estate property information. (this must be signed by all parties involved)
Read Also: Best mortgage lenders: 2021 picks updated (+ detailed guide)
The mortgage loan application has been made easy. How?
The online application! This process is a secure and convenient way to apply for a mortgage from the convenience of your home.
Using the online application process, you can scan and upload the required documents.
Simultaneously, if you encounter any difficulty, You can seek the assistance of a mortgage loan officer to complete your application.
After submission, It takes three days or more to get a Loan Estimate (L.E) which reveals your estimated closing costs.
2. Sit Still With The Review Process.
A loan processor is someone who puts together or organizes the required documents after the submission of the application.
The mortgage underwriter then approves or denies your loan application.
There are some details or factors the underwriters look out for in the whole loan application approval process, they are;
1. Your income and credit history.
2. Susceptible debts
3. How well you have cleared off debts in the past.
Again, the underwriters believe that your ability to clear debts determines your capacity to do so in the near future.
They investigate your workplace, your earnings, your savings, your assets, and the ratio of your debts to your earnings.
They make use of the current market value of the home you want to mortgage as adequate collateral for the loan.
This reassures the loaner that should things go south, the house can serve as a contingency plan to recover the unpaid loan.
3. Ensure To Get An Appraisal.
The underwriter makes use of the appraisal to evaluate the worth of the home.
This valuation is to protect both buyers and loaners from paying above the home’s worth.
There are some factors to be considered while evaluating the said property. some of them are; the condition of the property, location, features, and size of the property.
4. Guide Your Investment.
There are two most important things to look out for; homeowners’ insurance and title insurance. This helps you to be at ease with the property you are about to acquire and also reduces the risk of the purchase to the nearest minimum.
However, It’s safe to acquire the proof of homeownership and a copy(could be soft or hard) of the declaration page of the insurance and a paid invoice for at least 12 months coverage.
5. Decision Making.
The mortgage underwriter is the one who decides whether you are walking away with the loan or not. They either approve, suspend or decline your mortgage loan.
Therefore, If you get approved immediately, it means all details they need are accurate.
If you get declined, it’s necessary you know where you got it wrong before going forward. It could be as a result of accumulated debt or your ineligibility of that particular loan.
Hence, If you are kept on pending, you would need to hang around to provide them with further details they might need. It’s usually caused by not providing all the necessary information needed.
6. Close The Deal In Style.
Finally! It’s all over already. It takes a minimum of three days to receive a (CD) Closing Disclosure from your loaner, review them consciously and ask your loaner any question that may arise.
You are also required to make arrangements for your closing cost and down payment. Endeavor to bring along a photo ID to your closing.
Also, At your closing, you’ll append your signature on the last paperwork and get the keys to your new home!
Furthermore, the Mortgage underwriting process can take the time or not. It varies from days to weeks. Situations like the absence of a document or appraisal issues could lengthen the mortgage underwriting process.
This can be very much avoided by being responsive to any request for information and trying as much as possible to stay in touch with your loan officer.
In conclusion, here are some tips to ensure a smooth loan application.
- Firstly, While processing your loan, avoid taking on new debts, it could disqualify you.
- Again, keep in touch with your loaner during the mortgage underwriting process because the rapid response to the loaner’s requests will keep your application moving faster.
- Lastly, Be sincere with your financial capacity.
Apply these and be sure to be a proud homeowner in no distant time.
What are the Various Mortgage Underwriter Jobs?
These are the job categories the mortgage underwriter can plug into.
- Banking sector.
- Financial institutions.
- Real estate sector.
- Glass doors Mortgage underwriter jobs in the US
How much do mortgage underwriters get paid?
Every year in the United States, the average salary for a Mortgage Underwriter is $68,519. That works out to $32.94 an hour! People at the bottom of that range, the bottom 10%, make about $46,000 a year, while the top 10% make $100,000.
