When purchasing real estate, the first and most crucial step is securing a mortgage. Yet, the mortgage application process is complex and time-consuming. Lengthy workflows, manual errors, and compliance challenges have made it difficult for lenders and borrowers to navigate the intricate terrain of the mortgage application process.
However, in recent years, the financial landscape has witnessed a wave of innovations that are transforming the process for the better. Technological advancements are helping lenders save time and resources by allowing them to streamline the mortgage process.
This begs the question: what are the best practices that you should apply to make the mortgage application process efficient? We’ll share them in this guide.
#1 Implement Digital Document Collection
Errors in document handling in the mortgage process can lead to inaccurate approvals, financial losses, and compliance breaches. Lenders are increasingly turning to technology to handle document collection, especially when it comes to commercial real estate (CRE) loans.
You can significantly streamline the mortgage application process by implementing digital document collection. The process of gathering, storing as well as managing mortgage-related documents in electronic formats is known as digital document collection.
Leveraging technology for document collection can expedite the process of collecting documents. The shift to digital document collection allows lenders to process information in real time. It also eliminates the risk of errors related to manual document handling.
One key advantage of this shift is that it allows for secure and efficient storage of mortgage-related documents. This reduces the risk of data loss, which occurs when documents are stored in physical form.
Implementing digital document collection also has a positive impact on the borrower’s experience. Borrowers can submit necessary documents electronically. This wasn’t possible in the traditional method because they had to produce physical copies, which made the mortgage application process time-consuming.
#2 Use Automated Underwriting Software
A critical phase in the mortgage application process is underwriting, which involves a comprehensive assessment of the financial profile of the borrower.
Manual underwriting requires a lot of time and effort. It can take anywhere from a few business weeks to several weeks. CRE underwriting, on the other hand, takes months because the process is stricter and more complex compared to residential loans.
Lenders can speed up the mortgage application and approval process by automating the underwriting process. Integrating automated underwriting software into the mortgage application process will help you do so.
These systems use advanced artificial technology to grant mortgage loans to borrowers. Where human underwriters take days or weeks to analyze the borrower’s credit report and decide whether to approve a mortgage, automated mortgage underwriting systems do it in a few minutes.
Automated mortgage underwriting software is especially a must-have for lenders who lend money for CRE. As commercial real estate loans are riskier than residential ones, lenders have to conduct a thorough investigation of the applicant’s financial information and credit report.
By utilizing AI technology, these systems compile data from multiple sources and offer insights that will allow you to make informed decisions, notes Blooma.
For effective CRE risk mitigation, mortgage underwriting software allows lenders to run stress tests on individual deals. Lenders can assess potential risks by adjusting various factors such as expenses, revenue, cap rate, vacancy, and interest rates.
#3 Employ E-Signatures for Documents
Obtaining e-signatures can further streamline the mortgage application process.
Traditionally, mortgage applications involved a considerable amount of paperwork, which required physical signatures. However, electronic signatures or e-signatures eliminate the need for physical paperwork and save substantial effort required in printing, signing, and handling documents.
With e-signatures, borrowers need not be physically present to sign papers at the lender’s office. Instead, they can sign mortgage documents from their homes or anywhere in the world. All they need is internet access. This is particularly beneficial for borrowers with busy schedules or those who live in geographical locations distant from lenders.
E-signatures also add a layer of security to mortgage documents compared to wet signatures. When a borrower signs mortgage-related documents, their private keys are used to create the signature. This is kept securely by the borrower.
Besides, e-signature platforms capture the date and time the document was signed, the IP address, and the length of time it was viewed. This comprehensive audit trail proves that no one has tampered with the document, and the intended person has signed it. This makes it easy for lenders to prove the validity of the document and the authenticity of signatures on it.
Putting it all together, the mortgage application process can be complex and time-consuming. But, the right techniques and technologies can help you streamline the process, increasing efficiency, reducing costs, and saving a lot of time. Besides, it will improve the overall experience for both lenders and borrowers.
Utilizing loan origination software is another way to enhance the efficiency and accuracy of the lending process. You can streamline the mortgage process through it by automating several tasks, such as document management and credit checks.
As a final piece of advice, be sure to implement cybersecurity practices, as increased digitization has made data vulnerable to cyberattacks.
