Buyer’s Guide

A BUYER’S GUIDE WITH YOU IN MIND!

We understand that finding the right product for your mortgage financing requires time, knowledge and effort. We recognize that choosing the right lender can be a daunting experience. If it happens to be your first time, the entire process may be a bit frightening. We appreciate your journey and welcome you to connect with us so that we can educate you about our industry and show you that home ownership is as simple as it gets.

That being said we’d like to point out a few facts about us.

  • We’ve been around since 1995 (we know a thing or two about the mortgage industry)
  • We are a direct lender which means your are eliminating any broker or middle
  • Our staff and our Loan Officers are trained professionals that will guide your along the way
  • We strive to provide best in class client service (always putting your first)
  • We offer competitive interest rates (leading to significant savings)
  • Quick underwriting turn times to meet your closing dates on time
  • We utilize industry leading technology to achieve quick and efficient results

So, take a few minutes to browse through our guide and be sure to get in touch with us if you have any questions. We’re looking forward to working with you!

STEP 1:

  • Connect with one of our Loan Officers to discuss the details of your financing
  • Complete your mortgage application online
    • If you have questions connect with us for guidance, we’re here to educate you about our process and help you achieve your mortgage financing goals
  • Receive your loan estimate along with your Pre-Qualification and/or Pre-Approval Letter
    • Pre-Qualification and/or Pre-Approval letter is typically required by your real estate agents in order to submit an offer on your behalf

STEP 2:

  • Initiate the loan process by electronically sign your intent to proceed sent to you via email
    • You will also be required to electronically sign your loan disclosures sent to you via email
      • Remember – your loan disclosures are preliminary and not final
  • At this stage, our internal staff will review your file, order required services and hand it over to processing team for initial review.

STEP 3:

  • Our processing staff will quickly review the documents on file and may request additional information from you
  • Be prepared to communicate with your Loan Officer and Processor to satisfy any incoming request for documents and or asset verification to avoid delays
  • Think of processors as junior underwriters, they ensure the file is ready to be reviewed by our underwriting team for initial approval 

STEP 4:

  • Our processing team submits a complete file to our underwriter for initial review
  • The underwriter reviews – credit, appraisal, title, income and assets among other things
  • Upon completed review, our underwriter certifies that the loan meets eligibility criteria to receive what’s called a Condition Loan Approval
    • Keep in mind, this is not final as the underwriter may request additional documentation

STEP 5:

  • Our processor re-submits your file for final review.
  • Upon completion of final review our underwriter provides a stamp of approval! The three words that will change your life – Clear To Close! 
  • You will receive a closing disclosure 3 days prior to the closing date
  • Review and sign off on your closing disclosure
  • We work with your attorney or title company to schedule your closing

STEP 6:

  • This completes the last milestone of the Loan Manufacturing Process
  • Connect with your attorney or title agent to sign your loan documents
  • Congratulations on your new home!

American Bancshares Loan Manufacturing Process

We’re not just a mortgage service provider. Accordingly, we strive to offer exceptional service and a quality loan product to match your financing requirements.

In doing so we have transformed the loan process into a science by infusing the teachings and strategies of six sigma into the various stages of manufacturing a loan. These various stages are referred to as “milestones” with each allotted a certain amount of time before they must be moved onto the next milestone.

Our carefully designed operations enables our departments to work seamlessly to drive your loan into closing. We take pride in our performance and aspire to deliver the best possible experience to every client we connect with.

Important Tips When Your Loan is in Process:

  • Do not apply for new credit, or make large credit purchases during the loan process (this may affect your approval)
  • Be responsive with your Loan Office to avoid delays in processing or underwriting
  • You will receive an e-mail to submit payment for your appraisal – promptly submit payment online
  • Funds outside of your regular employment are required to be verified
  • Cash is not an acceptable source of down payment
  • If your credit is frozen, make sure to unlock your credit with all major bureaus
  • Be prepared to provide documents in different stages of the loan process as some documents expire
  • Documents often expire, therefore you might be asked for updated docs during the process
  • Contact an insurance agent for Homeowners insurance and Flood insurance quotes (if applicable)

Remember, to receive a loan estimate you’ll need to submit six key pieces of information:

  • Your name
  • Your income
  • Your Social Security Number
  • Address of the home being purchased or refinanced
  • An estimate of the home’s value
  • The loan amount you want to borrow

It’s that simple! Get in touch with us to discuss the details of your financing requirements.

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Checklist For Purchase & Refinance Transactions

After submitting your online application, the following information is typically required to obtain a Pre-Qualification and/or Pre-Approval. The same set of documents and more are required to initiate the loan process. Keep in mind, not all documents may be necessary since every situation is unique in it’s nature.

Income Documents:

  • Your IRS 1040 Tax Returns for the most recent two years, include all schedules and attachments
  • If self-employed- year to date profit and loss statement, plus signed returns for the last two years
  • Your IRS Form W2’s and/or 1099’s for the most recent two years
  • Most recent consecutive 30 days’ pay stubs (if applicable)
  • If you receive any other income provide information- pension, social security, child support, stocks, bonds, dividend
  • Name, address, telephone numbers for all employment held during the past two years. If a gap of employment greater than 30 days exists, detail dates and reason for gap

Asset Documents:

  • Bank statements for the most recent two months | we can also gather assets online via AccountCheck (our online asset verification platform)
  • Provide source of funds for any large deposits not part of your employment income
  • Investment account statements for the past two months (if applicable)
  • Retirement account statements for the past two months (if applicable)
  • Copy of escrow check pursuant to a Purchase and Sale Agreement (if applicable)

Credit Documents – all pages, front and back, necessary:

  • Copy of Bankruptcy Discharge (if applicable)
  • Copy of Divorce Decree and Settlement Agreement (if applicable)
  • Copy of Child Support document (if applicable)
  • Copy of Litigation (if applicable)

Identification Documents:

  • Copy of your Social Security card
  • Copy of your Driver’s License
  • Copy of your Resident Alien Card (green card), if not a US Citizen

If you currently own Real Estate:

  • Mortgage statement
  • Home insurance policy information
  • Home equity statement (if applicable)
  • Copy of most recent Survey (if applicable)
  • Owners Title Policy
  • Homeowner’s/flood insurance policy

Miscellaneous:

  • Copy of fully executed Purchase and Sale Agreement (contract) including addendums and copy of earnest money deposit
  • Letters of explanation for any derogatory credit events such as foreclosure, short sale, judgments, collection and / or late payments
  • Gift Eligibility: if part of your funds for down payment and/or closing are coming from a gift connect with your Loan Officer to review eligibility requirements. (there are specific instructions to handle gift funds)
  • Additional monthly debt that is not reported on your credit report: IRS payments, child support, private loans, etc
  • Certificate of Eligibility, if you are applying for a VA loan

Connect with us if you have any questions about the mortgage financing process. We welcome the opportunity to work with you!

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Our passion for growing communities

We have bridged the gap between technology and years of industry expertise to deliver a simple home financing process to our clients nationwide.

Servicing the community is driven by our core values of commitment, integrity, and transparency. Many of us sat in every chair of the mortgage industry, allowing us to fully understand the business from all aspects. This in-depth knowledge is what enables us to efficiently adapt to industry change, while consistently providing our clients with a first-in-class customer service and a stellar mortgage experience.

 

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