Buying a Home
The Mortgage Process Step by Step
Published 2026-07-31 · Last reviewed 2026-07-31 · Reviewed by Jim Lyddon, NMLS #2573609
The mortgage process moves through consultation, preapproval, property contract, application, processing, appraisal, underwriting, conditions, final approval and closing. Knowing the sequence makes the timeline predictable and shows you where your responsiveness has the largest effect on the schedule.
What to know
- Consultation and goal setting.
- Document collection and written preapproval.
- Offer accepted; full application and disclosures.
- Processing, appraisal ordering and verification.
- Underwriting and conditions.
- Final approval, Closing Disclosure and signing.
How Jim approaches this
Bring your specific numbers. General education gets you oriented, but the decision only becomes clear when it is run against your income, your cash position, the property you are considering and how long you plan to keep the loan. That conversation is free and does not require an application.
The information on this website is provided for general education only and does not constitute financial, tax or legal advice. Loan programs, guidelines and availability are subject to change and to borrower and property qualification.
JHL Mortgage, Inc. is an Equal Housing Opportunity lender. We do business in accordance with the Federal Fair Housing Law and the Equal Credit Opportunity Act.