Self-Employed? How to Secure a Successful Mortgage Approval


?Self-Employed
How to Secure a Successful Mortgage Approval


Mortgage transactions keep evolving.  The process does not remain the same or stay stagnant.

The current mortgage transaction bears only a small resemblance to the transaction that used to take place, even those transactions of just a couple of years ago. 

Changes have taken place within the mortgage industry and process that address and accommodate current market conditions and demands. And those "steps" certainly take place at a much faster tempo.

I like to think of it this way ...

The process used to be a caveman. It's become a "bot".  The process has evolved into a more detailed, sophisticated, swift, and advanced procedure.

For an applicant that is self-employed, those "details" I elude to can seem like a tall mountain to climb.  Their fear or hesitancy of climbing it may actually keep them from buying a home, talking to a lender, or applying for a mortgage.  

That's not a positive outcome, so what can be done to address their concerns? 

First:  Self-employeds (or other applicants), must understand that it isn't predetermined that the mortgage process be scary or overwhelming for them. 

When the process is broken down into easily understood more digestible bites, the mountain becomes less steep.  The steps in the process are more simply tackled and successfully completed.  

My 4 decades of experience in mortgages have taught me:


Actions and measures taken proactively in preparation for mortgage application make a measurable difference in how easily the mortgage process is navigated by an applicant. That is especially true when the applicant is self-employed.

My experience also taught me that any self-employed worker considering a home purchase (or refinance) is best served by one easily performed action: 

Talking with a mortgage lender early and well in 
advance of starting their home search

This one initial step allows for important discussions and actions to take place with your loan officer.

What actions and discussions?
  • A preliminary credit check can be performed
  • Guidance and advice for credit repair/credit improvement can be provided by the loan officer
  • A "positioning" and preparation for the mortgage application can be conducted by the applicant and their loan officer.
  • Credit and application can be maximized to their maximum potential 
When taken, each of these steps can make a world of difference to the loan applicant moving forward.

After these simple proactive steps are performed and a real estate contract is secured for a home, what should then take place next in the mortgage process?

The following should occur:
  • A Mortgage Application should be taken within 5 days after contract acceptance
  • Documents should be discussed during the Application appointment. Those documents are: The Mortgage Application itself, the Good Faith Estimate, the Truth-in-Lending, and supporting disclosures (about 40 documents)
  • The Application Fee/Appraisal Fee should be collected
The Loan Officer will gather ALL Borrower documents supporting:

  A. Income
  B. Employment
  C. Assets
  D. Identification
  E. Credit (if not already obtained) or update
  F. Other relevant explanations (known as Letter of Explanation (LOX)
  G. Bank Deposit History, etc.

Note: Other discussions between Loan Officer and Borrower will take place at this time, as well.

Those discussions can surround:

  A. Escrow/No Escrow (Escrow required above 80% LTV)
  B. Lock Rate (or float?)
  C. Term of Mortgage Loan (30 year, 15 year, etc.)
  D. Cash needed for Closing
  E. Total Monthly Payment
  F. Homeowners Insurance Policy Requirements/Proof of Insurance/payment

Remember this important equation:

Well-prepared Self-employed Borrowers  =
A Smoother Mortgage Process/Faster Loan Approval

The ultimate goal for everyone involved in any transaction is that all necessary documentation required by an Underwriter be provided to the Underwriter.

When this occurs and Underwriters have received all the info and documentation required, Underwriters can then make well-informed decisions to Approve, Suspend, or Deny a Loan Application ... and do so in a logical and timely manner.

What is an Underwriter's decision based upon?

Any potential borrower's
supporting documentation must tell a full and complete "story".  
That "story" must be logical and make complete sense to the Underwriter considering their loan for approval.
With more lead time and ample direction from a loan officer, the applicant's "story" is more easily, fluidly, and successfully compiled and submitted.  

The likelihood of receiving mortgage approval becomes much higher. The applicant's timeframe and goals for home purchase (or refinance) are more easily achieved.

Simply put, taking this one important step can deflate much of the fear and apprehension felt by a self-employed applicant.



Are you hoping to Construct, Buy, Refinance or Purchase a home or investment property in Chicagoland or somewhere else in Illinois or Wisconsin?

Looking for mortgage financing answers, options, solutions, and experienced assistance?

Contact me! I'll put my 40 years of Mortgage experience and expertise hard to work on your behalf.

I'm easily found at:

Gene Mundt

Mortgage Originator -NMLS #216987 - IL Lic. 031.0006220 - WI License #216987

American Portfolio Mortgage Corp
NMLS #175656

Direct: 815.524.2280
Cell/Text: 708.921.6331
eFax: 815.524.2281







Gene Mundt, Mortgage Originator, an Originator with 40+ years of mortgage experience, will offer you exemplary mortgage service and advice when seeking: Conventional, FHA, VA, Jumbo, USDA, and Portfolio Loans in Chicago and the greater Chicagoland region, including:
The Lincoln-Way Area, Will County, (New Lenox, Frankfort,
Mokena, Manhattan, Frankfort Square, Joliet, Shorewood, Elwood, Lockport, Wilmington, Crest Hill, Symerton, Braidwood, Channahon, University Park, Beecher, Plainfield, Bolingbrook, Romeoville, Tinley Park, Homer Glen, Crete, Peotone, Naperville, etc.), DuPage County, Kane County, Grundy County, the City of Chicago,
Cook County, and elsewhere within IL & WI.


#SelfEmployed #SelfEmployedMortgageApplicants #mortgageapplication #InterestRates #homebuying #refinancing #homeloans #talkwithalender #PreApproval #stoprenting #newconstruction #securerate #househunting #mortgage #GeneMundt #NewLenoxMortgageLender #ChicagolandMortgageLender #howmuchhomecanIbuy #whatinterestratecanIget #timing #mortgageexpert #moneytalk 
#homeloansmadesimple #experiencecounts #homebuilding #float #lockarate #askquestions 
#housegoals #VAloans #home #homeloanpro #JolietMortgageLender #WillCountyMortgageLender #DuPageCountyMortgageLender #GrundyCountyMortgageLender #ChicagoHomeLoans 
#NewLenoxRealEstate #mortgageinfo #newconstructionloans #endloans #credit #creditreport #40YearsOfExperience #WisconsinMortgageLender #ChicagoMortgageLender #FHAloans 
#condoloans #investmentproperty #mortgageconsultation #LincolnWayAreaMortgageLender 
#personalfinance #mortgageprocess #homebuyingprocess #housingmarket #changes 


















No comments:

Post a Comment

Thank you for taking the time to read and comment on my post!

Procrastination Does Not Pay When You Hope to Finance a Home

  Procrastination Does Not Pay When  You Hope to Finance a Home   “If you want to make an easy job seem mighty hard, just keep putting off d...