Purchase a New Home
Rob and the Mad City Home Loans Team proudly serve Wisconsin, Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Michigan, Florida, Texas, North Dakota, South Dakota, Colorado, and Washington.
Mortgage Process
Your mortgage journey begins with an initial phone consultation designed to give you clarity and direction. We’ll talk through different loan programs, basic mortgage qualifications, and how the overall process works. We’ll also do some simple hand math to estimate your buying power and discuss realistic monthly payments. Before we hang up, you’ll receive a clear list of documents needed for pre-approval so you know exactly how to prepare.
Once your application is submitted, we’ll schedule a detailed pre-approval consultation. During this call, we review your income, credit, assets, and debts to determine which loan programs you qualify for. We’ll explain your numbers in plain language and answer questions. Afterward, you’ll receive a mortgage pre-approval letter, giving you confidence and credibility when shopping for a home.
With your pre-approval in hand, you’ll work closely with a real estate agent to search for homes that match your needs, lifestyle, and budget. Your agent will guide you through showings, pricing strategies, and neighborhood considerations. When you’re ready to make an offer, your pre-approval letter helps show sellers that you’re financially prepared and serious about buying.
Once your offer is accepted, we move into the formal loan application phase. We’ll review your full loan application together to ensure accuracy and discuss important details such as loan structure and payment expectations. At this time, you may choose to lock your interest rate, which can help protect you from market changes while your loan moves forward.
At this stage, we’ll request any remaining documents needed to support your loan file. This may include updated income, asset, or employment information. Our team carefully reviews everything to ensure it meets lender and underwriting guidelines before submitting your loan for processing. A thorough review upfront helps prevent delays later in the process.
Homeowners insurance is a required part of the mortgage process and an important step in protecting your investment. You’ll begin shopping for coverage, often starting with your current auto insurance provider. If needed, we can also connect you with trusted insurance agencies. Once you choose a policy, we’ll collect proof of coverage. Starting this step early helps avoid last-minute issues.
We’ll order the home appraisal to confirm that the property’s value supports the agreed-upon purchase price. This protects both you and the lender. Separately, you may choose to order a home inspection, which is highly recommended. Inspections help identify potential concerns early so you can address them before closing.
During processing, we verify all details of your loan file, including income, employment, assets, and property information. We also collect third-party verifications and review the appraisal. Once complete, your loan file is submitted to underwriting, where it receives a detailed review to ensure it meets mortgage guidelines.
After underwriting reviews your file, you’ll typically receive a conditional loan approval. This means the loan is moving forward, but the underwriter may request additional documents or clarification. These requests are common and normal. We’ll communicate clearly, guide you through each condition, and work quickly to keep your loan on track.
Once all underwriting conditions are satisfied, your loan is officially cleared to close. At this point, we’ll schedule a pre-closing consultation to review the final steps. We’ll explain what happens between now and closing day so you feel prepared and confident heading into the final stage.
Before closing, you’ll receive your Closing Disclosure, which outlines your final loan terms and costs. We’ll review this document together, including your final monthly payment and any cash needed to close. We’ll also confirm the closing date, time, and location, and answer any last questions you may have.
Closing day is when everything comes together. You’ll sign your final mortgage documents, complete any required payments, and finalize the transaction. For purchases, this is when ownership officially transfers and you receive the keys to your new home. It’s an exciting milestone in the mortgage process.
Your first mortgage payment is typically due about one month after closing. We’ll provide clear payment instructions and details. From here on out, you become a Client for Life. We continue to look out for opportunities to improve your mortgage plan—whether that’s refinancing, consolidating debt, or accessing equity for future goals.
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