The Home Loan Process
Applying for a home loan can be stressful and often involves tons of paperwork, time, and money. There are a lot of mortgage options to choose from as well as many documents needed to apply for a mortgage.
At Marimark Mortgage, we strive to make the home loan process simple and stress-free so that homebuyers and homeowners can focus on the best part- moving into a new home or enjoying the extra money that comes with refinancing!
Related: What is a Mortgage? Types of Mortgages and How They Work
Step one: Pre-Approval
The first step in the pre-qualification process is to receive a pre-approval letter. This letter will show how much money a mortgage lender has approved to borrow based on a homeowner’s or homebuyer’s credit, savings, and income.
The pre-approval letter is important as it lets sellers know that the homebuyer is ready and able to purchase a home and for how much.
Related: Mortgage Pre-Qualification vs. Pre-Approval: What You Need to Know
Step two: House Shopping
At this point in the home loan process, it is a good idea to begin working with a real estate agent, begin viewing homes, and, once you have found your dream home, make an offer.
Your real estate agent can help you through the process and offer advice on any contingencies, such as home loan appraisals, that must be satisfied before completing the deal.
Step three: Apply for a Mortgage Loan
To apply for a mortgage loan, a few documents are needed:
- Proof of employment (Position, name of employer, phone, and address).
- Proof of income (W-2’s, Alimony, Pensions).
- Assets (Bank accounts, investments, gifted funds from relatives).
- Debts (Current mortgage, credit cards, car loans).
- Property Information (Street address, size of the property, estimated closing date).
- Financial Blemishes (Bankruptcies, foreclosures, delinquencies).
- Type of Mortgage (Fixed or adjustable, conventional, government-insured, jumbo).
- VA Certificate of Eligibility (If applicable, you will need proof of your military service).
- Loan estimate (Includes closing costs, interest rate, and monthly payments).
Step four: Loan Processing
Loan processors gather the needed documentation about the borrower and property, review the information and prepare it for the underwriter. Loan processors play a key role in getting your loan request completed.
Step five: Underwriting
The underwriter is the final decision-maker. Underwriters evaluate all the documents the loan processor prepared to see if the borrower and the property meet the requirements for the loan the borrower applied for.
Step six: Completing the Loan Application
At this point, most information needed for the home loan has been gathered in the pre-qualification process.
Homebuyers and homeowners can complete the loan application on our website or contact a loan consultant to walk through the process. If completing the application online, loan applicants will create n account, which will provide them with the ability to check on the application status at any time.
Related: What Type of Closing Costs Should You Expect to See When Buying or Refinancing a Home?
Marimark Mortgage
Marimark Mortgage is based in Tampa, Florida, and serves the mortgage needs of homebuyers, homeowners, and investors in Florida, Virginia, and Pennsylvania.
We specialize in mortgages for first-time homebuyers, conventional home mortgages, refinance loans, reverse mortgages, and FHA, VA, and USDA mortgage options. We’ve worked extensively with cash-out refinancing and help clients to lower their monthly mortgage payments.
To get started with a mortgage to buy your next home, please fill out our Quick Mortgage Application or contact us.
Updated on May 5, 2021

The Marimark Mortgage Newsletter will keep you informed with important events in the mortgage industry that could impact your finances.
We especially focus on ways to save money on your current and future mortgages. And, we continually share the information we share with our clients, because we believe informed consumers are the best consumers.
Real estate agents, and other professionals in the industry, will receive an ongoing wealth of information that will help them serve their clients.