You’ve taken the first big step — now what?

Starting your home loan journey can feel like you just entered a maze of acronyms, emails, and to-do lists. Don’t worry — this is where I come in.

Whether you’re buying your first home or your fifth, understanding the flow of the mortgage process takes away the stress and helps you stay two steps ahead. Here’s what happens next, and how we’ll navigate it together.

Step 1: Review & Verify

Once your application and documents are in, my team and I will review everything to confirm your loan strategy — income, assets, credit, and goals.

If we need anything else, we’ll ask for it early so you don’t run into delays later.

🧠 Pro tip: Responding quickly to document requests can shave days off your timeline.

Step 2: Fine-Tune Your Game Plan

We’ll look at your budget, loan programs, and down payment options to make sure we’re hitting the right balance of comfort, cost, and strategy.

If you’re working with a Realtor, I’ll coordinate directly so your financing matches your offer strategy.

💡 This is where we build your “offer-ready” pre-approval package. You’ll have what you need to make confident, competitive offers.

Step 3: Find the Right Home

Once you’ve got your pre-approval letter in hand, you and your Realtor can start viewing homes that fit your price point.

As you tour properties, text or email me the address of any you love — I’ll send updated numbers so you know exactly what the payment, taxes, and cash to close would look like.

🎯 The goal: No surprises. Just clarity and confidence.

Step 4: Go Under Contract

Once your offer is accepted, things move quickly.

We’ll order your appraisal, lock in your rate (if it makes sense), and start the underwriting process. My team will guide you through what each step means and when to expect updates.

📞 You’ll also hear from me every Thursday for a quick check-in call — even if it’s just to say “no news is good news.”

Step 5: Clear to Close & Celebration

After the underwriter reviews your file, you’ll receive your final approval — known as the “clear to close.”

We’ll coordinate your closing date with the title company, send final figures, and then… you get the keys.

🎉 That’s when we celebrate. (Bonus points if we take a “key photo” for the wall of success!)

Final Thoughts

Your home loan should never feel like a mystery. My goal is to keep you informed, confident, and ready — every step of the way.

If you’re ready to review where you are in the process or go over next steps, let’s chat:

👉 Schedule a quick call

About Austen Smith

Austen Smith is a Certified Mortgage Planning Specialist (NMLS #265697) with Barton Creek Lending Group in Austin, Texas. He helps homeowners and buyers make smart, strategic, and local mortgage decisions — from first-time purchases to reverse mortgages and everything in between.