Role Description
The Pre-Approval Specialist is responsible for turning complete borrower files into accurate, well-structured, and clearly communicated mortgage pre-approvals. This role evaluates the complete financial profile, determines loan eligibility, identifies the most appropriate financing structure, prepares the pre-approval package, and presents the results to the borrower and referring Realtor. This is a highly visible, client-facing role. The Pre-Approval Specialist works closely with Branch staff and referral partners to provide fast, accurate, and dependable pre-approval decisions.
Job Responsibilities
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Review borrower applications, intake information, credit reports, income documentation, assets, liabilities, real estate owned, and other supporting documentation.
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Calculate and validate qualifying income, including salary, hourly, variable, self-employed, rental, retirement, and other eligible income sources.
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Analyze assets, reserves, funds to close, liabilities, credit history, and debt-to-income ratios.
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Run and review automated underwriting findings.
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Determine borrower eligibility and recommend the most appropriate loan program and structure based on the borrowerβs financial circumstances and goals.
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Maintain working knowledge of conventional, FHA, VA, jumbo, portfolio, and Non-QM lending guidelines.
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Identify qualification concerns, documentation gaps, guideline issues, and potential risks before pre-approval is issued.
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Escalate complex, high-risk, or exception-based scenarios.
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Prepare accurate pre-approval letters, written approval summaries, loan scenarios, and supporting presentation materials.
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Conduct borrower pre-approval consultations by phone or video.
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Proactively call or email Realtors when meaningful qualification, timing, or offer-related information should be discussed.
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Prepare revised figures and property-specific pre-approval letters when borrowers are considering or making offers.
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Support qualification refreshes and other financing requests while clients are actively searching for a home.
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Support refinance scenario reviews and quotes as assigned.
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Maintain complete, accurate, and timely notes, statuses, activities, and next steps within the company CRM and loan systems.
Qualifications
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3+ years of residential mortgage experience involving borrower qualification and pre-approval review.
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Experience reviewing automated underwriting findings through DU and LPA.
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Jumbo, portfolio, Non-QM, self-employed borrower, and complex-income experience, preferred.
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Experience with Encompass, preferred.
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Experience with Blend, mortgage CRM platforms, and Mortgage Coach or similar presentation software, preferred.
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Active NMLS license or commitment to obtain NMLS.
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Knowledge of conventional, FHA, and VA lending guidelines.
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Proficiency in calculating and evaluating income, assets, reserves, credit, liabilities, and debt-to-income ratios.
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Skilled in independently analyzing files and clearly explaining the reasoning behind the recommended loan structure with concise rationale.
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Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
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Excellent prioritization and time-management skills.
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Skill in managing multiple active files, changing priorities, and time-sensitive offer requests without sacrificing accuracy.
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Demonstrated ownership, sound judgment, and willingness to escalate concerns early.
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Excellent attention to detail and pattern recognition skills to identify inconsistencies and trends.
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Skilled in exercising measured, sound judgment under pressure and communicating decisions clearly to internal partners, borrowers, and Realtors by phone, email, and video.
Benefits
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Competitive compensation plan.
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Robust benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision.
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401K plan.
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Company-provided short-term disability.
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Employee assistance program.
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Wellness program.