You are not supposed to understand this yet

What does the process really look like?

First we talk. Then we gather the information and documents needed to understand the financing. Once you are comfortable and prepared, you are looking at houses with your agent.

You find one. You write the offer. If it is accepted, the loan moves into the property side as well, so there is documentation, title, an appraisal if one is required, underwriting, and anything else specific to your file. Then we work toward closing.

Through all of it the job is making sure you know where we are and what is coming next. Silence is what makes people nervous.

When it feels slow, it is usually because we are waiting on something. A document, an outside party, an answer, a condition. The actual work is rarely what makes a file feel slow. It is the gaps between things, which is why we would rather ask for something early than need it late.

What should I avoid doing before closing?

Do not make a major financial move without talking to your loan officer first. A new car. New debt. Changing jobs. Moving money around in an unusual way.

That does not mean you are forbidden from living your life. It means call before you do something major so we can understand whether it changes anything.

It matters because the loan is built on a financial picture. Change the picture halfway through and we may have to look at it differently. Sometimes somebody makes a move thinking it helps when they did not need to do it at all.