MortgageFast Help Center
How can we help?
From getting started to getting your keys, find straightforward answers for every stage of your mortgage.
Can’t find what you need? Talk to a MortgageFast expert
What can we help with?
Start with a topic and we’ll point you in the right direction.
Getting Started
Everything you need to know before starting your mortgage.
- Where do I start?
- What information do I need?
- How much home can I afford?
- When should I get pre-qualified?
Pre-Qualification
Understand how pre-qualification works and what comes next.
- What is pre-qualification?
- Pre-qualification vs. pre-approval
- What information is reviewed?
- Does pre-qualification affect my credit?
Credit & Qualifying
Learn what lenders evaluate when reviewing a mortgage.
- How credit affects a mortgage
- What credit score do I need?
- Debt to income explained
- What income can be used?
Down Payment & Cash to Close
Understand where your money goes and how much you may need.
- How much do I need for a down payment?
- Do I need 20% down?
- What are closing costs?
- What is cash to close?
Rates & Loan Options
Learn how mortgage pricing and different financing options work.
Explore Rates & Loan Options →Processing & Underwriting
Your loan is moving. Here’s what’s happening behind the scenes.
- How the mortgage process works
- What happens after I submit my application?
- What does a processor do?
- What is underwriting?
Property & Appraisal
Learn how the property itself becomes part of the approval.
- What is a mortgage appraisal?
- Who orders the appraisal?
- What happens if the appraisal comes in low?
- Property condition requirements
Closing
Everything you need to know as closing day gets closer.
- What happens before closing?
- Understanding your Closing Disclosure
- How do I send closing funds?
- Closing security and wire fraud
Your MortgageFast Account
Scenarios, Flash, your experts, and everything in your dashboard.
- What’s in my MortgageFast dashboard?
- Building and comparing scenarios
- How pre-qualification works on MortgageFast
- Using Flash, the mortgage assistant
Not sure where to look?
Where are you in the process?
No mortgage vocabulary required. Pick the stage that sounds like you and we’ll show you the way.
Most helpful for stage 1
Browse all topicsPopular Help Articles
The big picture
From application to closing.
Not sure what happens between “Apply” and “Here are your keys”? We’ll walk you through it.
Speak Mortgage
Mortgage words, translated.
Mortgages have enough jargon. Here’s what it actually means.
Explore the Mortgage Dictionary→APR
Annual Percentage Rate (APR). A broader measure of borrowing cost that reflects the interest rate plus certain applicable finance charges. APR can help consumers compare loan costs.
DTI
Debt-to-Income Ratio (DTI). A ratio comparing applicable monthly debt obligations with gross monthly qualifying income.
Escrow
Escrow. An arrangement in which a third party holds money or documents for a transaction. In mortgage servicing, an escrow account may also collect funds for expenses such as property taxes and homeowners insurance.
LTV
Loan-to-Value (LTV). A ratio comparing the mortgage amount with the property's applicable value.
Discount Points
Discount Points. Upfront charges associated with obtaining a particular mortgage interest rate. One point generally equals 1% of the loan amount.
Clear to Close
Clear to Close. A term commonly used when the lender has completed required underwriting review and the loan can proceed toward closing, subject to any remaining closing requirements.
Just need a quick answer?
We’ve collected answers to some of the questions borrowers ask us most.
Browse Mortgage FAQsNeed help? Email us.
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