The Mortgage Process, Made Simple: What Happens After You Apply
What happens after your mortgage broker submits your application? From valuation to offer and completion, here’s what really goes on behind the scenes.
Once Your Broker Hits ‘Submit’
You’ve done the hard work — gathered your documents, checked your affordability, and chosen a mortgage that fits your plans. Now your broker submits your application to the lender, and it can feel like everything goes quiet. But behind the scenes, a lot starts to happen.
Your broker stays in contact with the lender, tracks progress, and updates you along the way. Here’s what’s going on while you wait.
Stage 1: The Lender’s Initial Checks
After your broker submits your application, the lender reviews your documents to confirm everything matches what was discussed. This includes verifying income, ID, credit checks, and deposit source. If anything needs clarification, your broker steps in to provide it quickly so the process doesn’t stall.
Stage 2: The Property Valuation
The lender arranges a valuation to confirm the property’s worth matches the agreed purchase price. Sometimes it’s a desktop valuation, other times a surveyor visits in person. Your broker keeps an eye on this step, making sure the valuation is booked and reported back promptly.
If the valuation comes in lower than expected, your broker will talk you through your options — from renegotiating the price to reassessing the loan amount.
Stage 3: Underwriting – The Deep Dive
Once valuation is complete, the application moves to underwriting. This is where the lender’s underwriters review every detail — payslips, bank statements, credit history, and affordability. Your broker liaises directly with the underwriter if any questions arise, ensuring the right information is supplied quickly.
Stage 4: The Mortgage Offer
When everything checks out, the lender issues a formal mortgage offer. Your broker receives a copy and reviews it with you to confirm the details are correct before it’s sent to your solicitor. This is a big milestone — it means your mortgage is officially approved, subject to legal completion.
Stage 5: Legal Work and Completion
With the offer in place, your solicitor begins the legal side — including property searches, contracts, and final checks. Your broker stays available to support you, particularly if the lender needs any last-minute confirmations or extensions to the offer. Once all the legal work is done, your solicitor agrees a completion date, and funds are released to make your purchase official.
Common Delays (and How to Avoid Them)
Even with the best preparation, some delays are out of your control — like valuation scheduling or solicitor workloads. But there are things your broker helps you manage:
• Responding quickly to any lender requests
• Keeping documentation consistent and up to date
• Staying proactive about communication between lender, solicitor, and yourself
With a good broker, delays are minimised because someone’s always watching the process closely.
How Long Does It All Take?
Every case is different, but on average:
• Initial lender checks: 2–5 working days
• Valuation: 3–10 working days
• Underwriting: 5–15 working days
• Offer to completion: 4–8 weeks
Your broker will give you realistic timescales based on the lender, property type, and your circumstances — and they’ll keep things moving wherever possible.
Your Broker’s Role Throughout
A good broker isn’t just there to find a mortgage. They’re your point of contact from start to finish — chasing updates, resolving issues, and keeping you informed. By having someone who knows how lenders think, you avoid unnecessary stress and stay one step ahead of the process.
Next Steps
If you’re thinking about starting your mortgage journey, the best first step is to talk with a broker who can guide you from application through to completion. When your mortgage is handled properly from the start, the whole process becomes much smoother — and getting those keys feels that much closer.
Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage or other loan secured against it.
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It varies by lender, but most offers come within 2–4 weeks once the application and valuation are complete.
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In rare cases, yes — for example, if your financial situation changes before completion. Your broker will help you avoid this by keeping the lender updated.
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Your broker will discuss your options, which may include renegotiating the price, increasing your deposit, or exploring alternative lenders.
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Respond quickly to your broker’s requests, have documents ready, and stay in touch with your solicitor to avoid any bottlenecks.
