The amount of time it takes for you to receive a response to your home loan application can vary. An answer is usually received between two days to two weeks, depending on a range of factors.

“For a reasonably straightforward application, it’s 48 hours to a final approval. But, depending on how complex the circumstances are, it can take longer than that,” explains the finance broker.

Before offering conditional approval, your potential lender will need to make an assessment of your application and conduct a valuation of the property. Of course, having a valuation that is acceptable to the lender done in advance will expedite the process.

“With valuations, the intention is to support an application rather than to make or break it,” the broker says. “There are a few things that can result in an application not being approved based on valuation, like zoning, property size, or if the condition of the property is poor enough that major repairs would be required before it could realise its market value.”

The lender will also assess your capacity to repay the loan amount you have requested. This is where all of the information about your salary and liabilities come into consideration, and where accurate and complete information is essential.

“The credit review by the lender can include a bit of to-and-fro between the customer, the broker and the lender due to the lender’s request for further information as that credit review takes place,” the broker says.

Your potential lender makes an overall judgement of you as a borrower and the complexity of your financial history will affect how long this takes.

“It’s best to be full and frank in disclosure from a borrower’s perspective. The biggest red flag is non-disclosure of liabilities or adverse information on a credit history, whether it is included in documentation or not,” the broker says.

“The complexity of the application process is a great reason why you would sit down with a reputable broker, as they can just explain all of that to you.”

Following the submission of an application, you can expect your finance broker to be in touch with you to update you on progress, and to notify you of the outcome. If your application is approved, your broker will also advise you of when to expect a formal letter of approval from your lender.

Speak to an MFAA Accredited Finance Broker about how they can simplify the home loan application and approval process, and create the strongest application for you.