If you’ve never gone through the mortgage process before, it can feel a bit overwhelming. The good news is, once you know the steps, it’s a lot more straightforward. This is how I walk clients through the mortgage process from start to finish.
Step 1: The Initial Phone Call
It starts with a quick chat to go over your situation, goals, and budget. We’ll talk about:
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Your income, employment, and credit history
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How much you have saved for a down payment
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Your preferred monthly payment range
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Any unique details—self-employment, multiple incomes, existing debts
From there, I’ll have a clear idea of what information and documents I’ll need from you to get started.
If you’d prefer to start by filling out the application online instead of having an initial call, that’s perfectly fine too—[click here to start your mortgage application].
Step 2: Collecting Documents & Completing the Application
Once we’ve spoken (or you’ve completed the online application), the next step is to collect the documents I need—things like pay stubs, T4s or tax returns, proof of down payment, and ID.
I’ll use the information from these documents to complete your mortgage application with accurate numbers. This ensures the pre-approval is based on real data, not estimates, so there are no surprises later.
Step 3: Working Out the Details
This is where we put everything together and go through the numbers in detail:
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The maximum you qualify for
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What the monthly payments will be
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Expected closing costs
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Any other important details specific to your situation
By the end of this step, you’ll know your budget, have a clear plan, and be ready to shop for a home with confidence.
Step 4: Review After an Accepted Offer
Once you’ve found a home and your offer is accepted, I’ll submit your full application to the lender along with all the supporting documents. The lender will review:
Within a couple of days, the lender will issue a commitment letter outlining the approval and listing any conditions that need to be met. From there, we work together to provide the remaining documents and satisfy all conditions before your financing deadline.
There may also be additional documents requested depending on the file.
Step 5: Closing
Before the closing date, you’ll meet with your lawyer to sign the mortgage paperwork, transfer your down payment, and handle closing costs. On closing day, the funds are transferred to the seller and you get the keys.
FAQ
How long does the mortgage process take?
A pre-approval can be done in a day or two once I have all your documents. Full approval after an offer is usually 5–10 business days.
Do I need perfect credit to get approved?
No. There are options for a wide range of credit situations—it just changes which lenders we approach.
Should I get pre-approved before house hunting?
Yes—it gives you a clear budget, sets expectations, and allows us to work through any issues before putting in offers. This makes for a much smoother approval process.
Final Thoughts
The mortgage process is much easier when you know what to expect and have someone guiding you through each step.
[Click here to start your mortgage application today]