
An underwritten pre approval is a type of pre approval that requires a lender to review an applicant's credit history, income, and other financial information before issuing a pre approval letter.
This process typically takes a few days to a week, depending on the lender's workload and the complexity of the application. In contrast, non-underwritten pre approvals can be issued quickly, but they often come with stricter terms and conditions.
A key benefit of underwritten pre approval is that it provides a more accurate estimate of the loan amount and interest rate that an applicant can qualify for. This is because the lender has reviewed the applicant's financial information and has a better understanding of their creditworthiness.
By providing a more accurate estimate, underwritten pre approval can help applicants avoid the disappointment and frustration of getting their hopes up for a loan that they may not ultimately qualify for.
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What is Pre-Approval?
To get pre-approved for a mortgage, you'll need to fill out a loan application, provide financial documentation, and undergo a credit check. This process typically takes a few days to a week.
Your lender will review your information and perform a desktop underwrite, which is a computer-automated approval process. If approved, you'll receive a pre-approval letter stating the loan amount and expected interest rate.
Here are some common documents lenders request for pre-approval:
- Two years of tax returns
- W-2s and 1099s (for freelance income)
- Pay stubs
- Profit-and-loss statements for self-employed individuals
- Letters of explanation for gaps in employment
- Proof of other forms of income (real estate, child support, alimony, and so on)
- Source of the down payment funds
- Bank statements
- Retirement or brokerage account statements
A pre-approval is considered a conditional commitment to lend, but your final loan approval still depends on the successful completion of the full underwriting process.
What Is Pre-Approved?
To get pre-approved for a mortgage, you'll need to take a few key steps. Fill out a mortgage loan application, which will ask for detailed financial information. You'll also need to provide your lender with the necessary documentation to confirm your finances.
A credit check is also a required part of the pre-approval process. This will help your lender understand your creditworthiness and determine how much you can borrow. Your lender will then put your file through a desktop underwrite, a computer automated approval process.
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If you're approved, your lender will give you the dollar amount you qualify for, along with an expected interest rate. You'll also receive a pre-approval letter stating your exact loan amount. This letter is a powerful tool when house hunting, as it shows sellers and other buyers that you're a serious and qualified buyer.
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Definition of a Pre
A preapproval is a step up from a prequalification, and it's a crucial part of the homebuying process. To get preapproved, you'll need to fill out a mortgage loan application, provide your lender with documentation to confirm your finances, and complete a credit check.
Your lender will then confirm your information and perform a desktop underwrite, which is a computer-automated approval process. If approved, you'll be given the dollar amount you qualify for, along with an expected interest rate.
A preapproval is considered a conditional commitment to lend, but your final loan approval still depends on the successful completion of the full underwriting process. To get a preapproval, you'll typically need to provide some or all of the following documents to your lender:
- Two years of tax returns
- W-2s and 1099s (for freelance income)
- Pay stubs
- Profit-and-loss statements for self-employed individuals
- Letters of explanation for gaps in employment
- Proof of other forms of income (real estate, child support, alimony, and so on)
- Source of the down payment funds
- Bank statements
- Retirement or brokerage account statements
There are different types of preapprovals, including a fully underwritten preapproval, which is considered the best and most comprehensive mortgage preapproval. This type of preapproval is actually a conditional mortgage approval, where the lender performs the majority of the underwriting process before you make an offer on a house.
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Benefits and Advantages

Securing a fully underwritten pre-approval is like having a secret weapon in your back pocket when competing for your dream home in a seller's market.
In a highly competitive real estate market, multiple well-qualified buyers are vying for the same homes, leading to bidding wars. This is where a fully underwritten pre-approval can give you an edge.
Having a fully underwritten pre-approval allows you to waive a mortgage financing contingency, making you a more attractive buyer to sellers who prefer non-contingent deals.
A fully underwritten pre-approval can be issued if the automated underwriting system (AUS) gets an approve/eligible AUS Finding and the borrower can meet all conditions from the AUS.
Mortgage documents such as tax returns, W2s, paycheck stubs, and 60 days of bank statements will be requested and reviewed as part of the fully underwritten pre-approval process.
The loan officer will review all docs and run the file through the AUS, giving you a more accurate and reliable pre-approval.
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The Process

Mortgage lenders review income, including W2's, paystubs, and tax returns, as part of the pre-underwriting process.
They also verify employment with the homebuyer's employer to ensure stability.
A fully underwritten pre-approval letter is issued once the underwriter is satisfied with the credit package.
What Is the Process
The process of buying a home can be complex, but understanding the basics can make it more manageable.
First, a borrower seeks pre-approval from a lender, which involves a preliminary review of their financial documents and credit history to determine how much mortgage they can qualify for.
Pre-approval is a crucial step before starting the home search, allowing borrowers to know their budget and make informed decisions.
After obtaining pre-approval, borrowers can begin searching for a home, but it's common for them to not find a specific property they want to purchase at this stage.
Once a property is found, the borrower will need to apply for a mortgage, which is when the lender will conduct a more thorough review of their financial situation.
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What Are the Pre-Steps?

Before you even start looking for a home, there are some pre-steps you'll need to take. Mortgage lenders review income, including W2's, paystubs, and tax returns, to get a clear picture of your financial situation.
To get started, you'll need to gather all your financial documents, including credit reports and all financial statements, to prove you have the funds to make a purchase.
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Get Today
If your lender provided you with a letter that doesn't include the highlighted items, you have a pre-approval letter instead of an underwritten approval.
You're at higher risk of losing the home of your dreams to a buyer with a more competitive offer if you don't have an underwritten approval.
A pre-approval letter can also lead to getting denied for the loan weeks later, which is a worst-case scenario.
LoanFlight can fully underwrite your loan within one business day of receiving your completed application and income and asset documents.
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Loan Options

Having a pre-approval in hand can give you a significant advantage in the home-buying process, and there are several loan options to consider.
A conventional loan is a popular choice for many homebuyers, with a lower down payment requirement of just 5% and no mortgage insurance.
However, if you're a first-time homebuyer, you may want to explore government-backed loan options like FHA loans, which require a lower down payment of just 3.5%.
A VA loan, on the other hand, is specifically designed for military veterans and active-duty personnel, offering more lenient credit requirements and no mortgage insurance.
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No-Ratio Loans
No-Ratio Loans are a type of mortgage loan that doesn't require a debt-to-income ratio check.
This means that borrowers can qualify for a loan without having to worry about their income being weighed against their existing debts.
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Buyers Have Options
Having a fully underwritten pre-approval gives buyers a significant advantage in the home buying process.

With this option, buyers can close on a home purchase faster, which creates more certainty for sellers.
Buyers can also waive contingencies to compete with all-cash buyers, giving them a better chance of winning in a bidding war.
This can potentially lead to a better price for the buyer.
Here are some benefits of having a fully underwritten pre-approval:
In fact, buyers who have already completed the pre-underwriting process can close much faster than traditionally pre-qualified buyers.
Underwriting
Underwriting is where things can fall apart in the closing process if there are any issues. An underwriter will review all your documents with a fine-toothed comb to check their accuracy.
Some of the items they may check for accuracy include: Is the name and date of birth exactly the same on every document?Do all of the financial numbers align? Is there any money missing, or money that’s present but somehow unaccounted for in your documentation?Where did your down payment money come from?Are all the boxes ticked (or unticked) where they need to be?
If there are any issues, the loan won’t be finalized until they’re resolved, which can delay closing and sometimes jeopardize the entire deal.
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Underwriting

Underwriting is a crucial step in the mortgage process, and it's where things can fall apart if not done correctly. An underwriter will review your documents with a fine-toothed comb to check their accuracy.
They'll look for discrepancies in your name and date of birth on every document, and make sure all financial numbers align. If they find any issues, the loan won't be finalized until they're resolved.
Some common items underwriters check for accuracy include:
- Is the name and date of birth exactly the same on every document?
- Do all of the financial numbers align? Is there any money missing, or money that’s present but somehow unaccounted for in your documentation?
- Where did your down payment money come from?
- Are all the boxes ticked (or unticked) where they need to be?
After underwriting, an updated credit score is pulled to ensure you're still good to go, and then you're clear to close. This process can take a while, and it's not uncommon for it to continue right up until a few days prior to your scheduled closing.
Underwriting
Underwriting is a crucial step in the home buying process, and it's where things can fall apart if not done correctly. An underwriter will review your documents with a fine-toothed comb to check their accuracy.

Some of the items they may check for accuracy include whether the name and date of birth are exactly the same on every document, if the financial numbers align, and where the down payment money came from.
If there are any issues, the loan won't be finalized until they're resolved, which can delay closing and sometimes jeopardize the entire deal. An updated credit score is pulled after underwriting to ensure you're still good to go.
A TBD underwritten mortgage approval means the file has been fully processed and a mortgage underwriter has underwritten the file. This can be beneficial for borrowers as it provides a head start on the mortgage approval process and helps streamline the closing process once a property is chosen.
The fully underwritten TBD mortgage process takes longer than a pre-approval issued by a loan officer, as the loan is fully underwritten by a mortgage underwriter. The complete 1003 (Uniform Residential Loan Application) is reviewed and the file is submitted to the Automated Underwriting System (AUS).
A pre-approval is not a guarantee that you will be approved for a loan, but it can give you an idea of what you might qualify for. Getting pre-qualified doesn't cost you, and it can often be done online or by phone. However, it's essential to continue working with your lender to get pre-approved before making any offers.
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Here are some key things to keep in mind during the underwriting process:
- Accuracy is key: Make sure all your documents are accurate and up-to-date.
- Financials matter: Ensure all your financial numbers align and are accounted for.
- Down payment details: Be prepared to explain where your down payment money came from.
- Communicate with your lender: Keep your lender informed of any changes or updates.
Verification and Approval
A pre-approval letter is only as strong as the information it's based on. It's impossible for an underwriter to approve your loan without verifying assets.
Verifying your assets and income is a crucial step in the pre-approval process. An underwritten approval letter will state your total verified assets as well as your maximum funds to close.
Providing documentation in advance can be tedious, but it's worth it for a stronger approval letter.
How Long Does It Take?
A fully underwritten pre-approval takes longer than a pre-approval issued by a loan officer. This is because the loan is fully underwritten by a mortgage underwriter.
The loan process involves a mortgage processor who reviews the loan after the loan officer reviews the documents. The file is then submitted to underwriting and a mortgage underwriter is assigned.
The complete 1003 Uniform Residential Loan Application is reviewed and the file is submitted to the Automated Underwriting System (AUS).
Pre-Qualification

Getting pre-qualified is the first step in the journey to getting a home loan. Your lender will gather some basic details from you; debt, income, assets, and form an idea of your finances.
Pre-qualification doesn't cost you, and it can often be done online or by phone. However, pre-qualification provides you with an amount you MIGHT qualify for, not a guarantee that you will be approved. No credit check or employment verification is done to "pre-qualify".
Pre-qualification is a good starting point, but it's essential to continue working with your lender to get pre-approved before making any offers. This is because pre-qualification is not a guarantee of approval, and you want to ensure you're looking at homes that are within your budget.
Here's a quick comparison of pre-qualification and pre-approval:
Getting pre-qualified can often be done quickly, but it's essential to remember that it's just the first step in the process.
Lender Information

Many traditional mortgage lenders offer pre-underwriting as an option.
Traditional lenders offer pre-underwriting, but it involves more steps than a traditional pre-approval or pre-qualification letter. This process can save you time later in your purchase.
It takes about 1 to 2 weeks to complete the process for a fully underwritten pre-approval letter from a mortgage lender.
Underwriter's Name on Letter
The underwriter's name on your loan letter is a crucial detail to check. If you only see your loan officer's name, it's a sign that the loan may not have been fully underwritten.
A loan officer can't underwrite their own files due to compliance reasons. This means you should look for a designation that states, "Loan Underwritten By" with an underwriter's name included.
If there is no underwriter's name on the letter, it's highly unlikely that your loan was fully underwritten. This could lead to issues down the line, so it's essential to verify this information.
What Lenders Offer?

Many traditional mortgage lenders offer pre-underwriting as an option.
Both traditional and modern digital lenders provide this service, which involves more steps than a traditional pre-approval or pre-qualification letter.
On average, it takes about 1 to 2 weeks to complete the process for a fully underwritten pre-approval letter from a mortgage lender.
Understanding Pre-Approval Letters
A pre-approval letter is not always the best option for borrowers with less than perfect credit, especially if they have recent late payments.
Manual underwriting is often necessary in cases with late payments in the past 12 months, and a fully underwritten TBD mortgage approval is a better choice.
Borrowers who have late payments during the Chapter 13 Bankruptcy repayment period may also find that a fully underwritten TBD mortgage approval is more suitable.
In some cases, a loan officer may need to go manual underwriting and a fully underwritten TBD mortgage approval is the way to go.
A pre-approval letter may not be sufficient for borrowers who have late payments after bankruptcy, foreclosure, deed in lieu of foreclosure, or short-sale, and a fully underwritten TBD mortgage approval is a better option.
TBD and Manual Underwrites

A TBD (To Be Determined) underwritten mortgage approval is a type of mortgage approval process where the underwriter provides a conditional approval before a specific property has been chosen.
FHA and VA loans are the only two mortgage loan programs that allow manual underwriting, which is a slower process compared to automated underwriting. Manual underwriting requires the loan officer to review all documents, including tax returns, W2s, paycheck stubs, and 60 days of bank statements, before running the file through the automated underwriting system (AUS).
Manual underwriting can be unpredictable, and a pre-approval can't be issued until the AUS has approved the file. This is why TBD mortgage pre-approvals are the best choice for manual underwriting files.
Here are some key differences between TBD and manual underwrites:
In contrast, TBD underwritten mortgage approvals are a faster and more predictable process, as they use the AUS to provide a conditional approval before property selection.
Sources
- https://gustancho.com/fully-underwritten-tbd-mortgage-approval/
- https://www.prevu.com/blog/fully-underwritten-preapproval
- https://www.homelight.com/blog/buyer-pre-approval-vs-pre-qualified/
- https://mindyhibbardrealestate.com/pre-qualified-pre-approved-fully-underwritten/
- https://blog.loanflight.com/blog/how-is-an-underwritten-approval-letter-different-from-a-pre-approval-letter
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