The Loan Process
Clear. Simple. Built Around You.
Buying or refinancing a home can feel overwhelming — especially if you don’t know what comes next.
That’s why our loan process is designed to give you clarity early, guidance throughout, and confidence at every step.
You don’t need perfect credit.
You don’t need all the answers.
You just need a starting point.
Step 1: The Application & Credit Review
This is the most important step — and the one that gives you the most value.
Completing a mortgage application isn’t about committing to a loan.
It’s about giving us the information we need to build a clear, accurate plan for you.
What you get from completing the application:
A full review of your income, credit, and assets
A realistic understanding of what you qualify for
Identification of loan programs you may not know you’re eligible for
Early detection of potential issues (before they become problems)
A clear path forward — whether that’s buying now or preparing for later
Credit Report & Score Review
After submitting your application, your next step is to request and pay for your personal credit report.
This does three important things:
Gives you a copy of your consumer credit report to review for accuracy
Allows the report to be securely submitted to our team for the pre-approval process
We believe in transparency — you should see exactly what we see.
The cost of the credit report is $132, and this fee is paid directly to the credit bureaus, not to our office. This helps us keep our rates competitive while ensuring you have full visibility into your credit profile.
Secure • Guided • No pressure
Step 2: Review & Strategy
What Happens Next?
Once we’ve reviewed both your application and credit report, we’ll schedule a one-on-one consultation to walk through everything together, including:
Once we’ve reviewed both your application and credit report, we’ll schedule a one-on-one consultation to walk through everything together, including:
Your estimated mortgage loan amount
Monthly payment scenarios
How the home buying process works from start to finish
Answers to your questions — in plain language
From there, we’ll outline your best next steps — whether that’s moving forward now or creating a plan to prepare.From there, we’ll outline your best next steps — whether that’s moving forward now or creating a plan to prepare.
This is where questions get answered and uncertainty starts to fade.
Step 3: Pre-Approval with Confidence
After review, we issue a strong, reliable pre-approval — not a guess, not a rushed letter.
This means:
You know exactly where you stand
Your realtor knows your offer is solid
Sellers take you seriously
You shop with confidence instead of hope
Step 4: From Contract to Closing
Once you’re under contract, we guide you through:
Appraisal & underwriting
Document collection (with clear communication)
Milestone updates so you’re never wondering “what’s next”
Final approval and closing day
Our goal is simple:
No surprises. No confusion. No unanswered questions.
Not Ready to Apply Yet?
Start With a Conversation.
If you’re early in the process or just need help understanding your options, that’s okay.
A short conversation can help you decide whether applying now makes sense — or what you should focus on first.
Smart Credit Report®
Wanna check your credit bureau without the COST!
Check out our Smart Credit Report With Credit Armor!
You get far more than just one credit score. Included with your general credit score, you will also be able to see your Automotive Score, Insurance Score, and your Hiring Index. Use Credit Armor’s ScoreBoost® to help you understand how your credit card spending and payments will impact your score.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Pre-Approval?
A pre-approval is a detailed review of your income, credit, and financial information to determine how much home you qualify for, what your estimated payment looks like, and which loan options fit you best.
The biggest benefit of a pre-approval is clarity. You’ll know your real numbers before you start shopping — helping you focus on homes within your true price range and make stronger, more confident offers when you find the right one.
Our pre-approvals are built to hold up — not just get you shopping, but get you to the closing table.
Why do you require documents?
Documents allow us to verify the information provided on your application, including employment, income, and assets. These third-party verifications ensure your pre-approval is accurate and reliable.
While not every lender requires documentation upfront, our team believes strong pre-approvals protect you. When we issue a pre-approval, it’s built to close — not fall apart later due to missing or unverified information.
This extra care upfront helps prevent surprises, delays, or denials once you’re under contract.
Why do I have to pay for my credit report?
Your credit profile plays a major role in determining how much you qualify for and which loan options are available to you.
Paying for your credit report allows:
You to receive your own consumer credit copy to review for accuracy
Secure submission of the report to our team for your pre-approval
The cost of the credit report is $132, and this fee is paid directly to the credit bureaus, not to our office. We believe in transparency — you should see exactly what we see.
This step helps us provide an accurate, dependable pre-approval and avoid surprises later in the process.
Have more questions! Visit our Blog to check out more topics!
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Copyright ©2022 | Copeland Mortgage Company DBA Summit Lending | Arizona Mortgage Broker License #MB1013966NMLS #1850081 | Licensed In: AL, AR, AZ, CA, CO, FL, GA, ID, IA, KS, LA, MI, MN, MT MO, NC, NE, OK, PA, SC TN, TX, VA, WA & WY |
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