The Process
Your path to homeownership.
Ten steps. One clear process. I'll walk alongside you at every stage — from our first conversation all the way through closing day and beyond.
Onboarding
We start with a quick intake form — nothing heavy. I just want to understand your goals, your situation, and what homeownership actually means for you. This is where we set the foundation for everything that follows.
Pre-Qualification
This is where a lot of lenders cut corners — and where I don't. I run a soft credit pull (no hard inquiry, no impact to your score) so we can get an accurate read on income, liabilities, and your debt-to-income ratio. That gives us a realistic picture of where you stand and what programs make sense for your profile. Any pricing we talk about at this stage reflects current market conditions and your actual credit profile — it's not a locked rate, because rates move every day. But it's not a fake number designed to get you through the door either. We also use this step to catch anything that might need to be addressed early — before it becomes a problem. This sets us up for a clean strategy launch.
Strategy Launch
This is where we build your actual plan. We go through your options, talk through the tradeoffs, and make sure you're not just comfortable with a purchase price — but with what that looks like as a monthly payment. We factor in things like property taxes and average homeowners insurance for the area you're targeting, so the number you walk away with is the real number.
Pre-Approval
Now we make it official. Your documents have been reviewed and analyzed, we know your max and — more importantly — what you're most comfortable with. You get a formal pre-approval letter that gives you real leverage when you make an offer. You're ready to shop.
Shopping
Now it's fun. You and your agent are out touring — I'm one text away. Send me anything you're serious about and I'll run the full number, principal to insurance, before you fall for it.
Finding Your Home
Found it? We move. I work with your agent to make the offer sharp — competitive, but grounded in what actually works for you. You walk in strong.
Under Contract
Offer's accepted — now the machine starts. We move into loan registration, then escrow: inspection, appraisal, title, insurance, disclosure. I keep every piece talking to every other piece, so you always know what's next.
Loan Registration
The file moves through final underwriting. We clear conditions, button up paperwork, confirm everything's in order. Last stop before the finish line.
Closing Day
Sign. Keys. Done. In person or virtual, your call. Either way, I walk you through every page so nothing's a surprise.
Post-Close Care
Closing isn't the finish line for me — it's the start. I'm your lender for life. I'll reach out when the market moves, when your equity hits a milestone worth acting on, whenever you need me. You're not a file number. You're a client.
Common questions
How long does the process take?
Every buyer's situation is different. Some move from pre-approval to closing in a few weeks. Others take several months to find the right home. What stays consistent is the process — I'll always tell you exactly where things stand and what's needed next.
What documents do I need to get started?
To get the ball rolling, all I need is a recent pay stub and a valid ID. That's it for now. Once we're in the pre-approval stage, I'll put together a document checklist tailored specifically to your loan program and situation — because what's required varies depending on the type of loan and what the automated underwriting system tells us. No need to dig through two years of paperwork before we've even had a conversation.
Can I get pre-approved with less-than-perfect credit?
This is exactly why the pre-qualification step matters. Every loan program has different minimum thresholds, and meeting a minimum doesn't always mean it's the right move — because what a loan costs you can vary significantly based on your credit profile. I'd rather have a real conversation with you, look at where you are, and make sure that whatever path we choose makes sense for your goals and your wallet. Transparency and education aren't extras here. They're the whole point.