Pre-Approval Specialist

Position Overview

The Pre-Approval Specialist is responsible for turning complete borrower files into accurate, well-structured, and clearly communicated mortgage pre-approvals. The 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 the Loan Officer, Client Experience Coordinator, Operations Manager, and referral partners to provide fast, accurate, and dependable pre-approval decisions.

Job Responsibilities

• Review borrower applications, intake information, credit reports, income documentation, assets, liabilities, real estate owned, and other supporting documentation.
• Calculate and validate qualifying income, including salary, hourly, variable, self-employed, rental, retirement, and other eligible income sources.
• Analyze assets, reserves, funds to close, liabilities, credit history, and debt-to-income ratios.
• Run and review automated underwriting findings, including Desktop Underwriter and Loan Product Advisor.
• Determine borrower eligibility and recommend the most appropriate loan program and structure based on the borrower’s financial circumstances and goals.
• Maintain working knowledge of conventional, FHA, VA, jumbo, portfolio, and Non-QM lending guidelines.
• Identify qualification concerns, documentation gaps, guideline issues, and potential risks before pre-approval is issued.
• Escalate complex, high-risk, or exception-based scenarios to the Operations Manager or Loan Officer when appropriate.
• Prepare accurate pre-approval letters, written approval summaries, loan scenarios, and supporting presentation materials.
• Conduct borrower pre-approval consultations by phone or video.
• Proactively call or email Realtors when meaningful qualification, timing, or offer-related information should be discussed.
• Prepare revised figures and property-specific pre-approval letters when borrowers are considering or making offers.
• Supports qualification refreshes, and other financing requests while clients are actively searching for a home.
• Supports refinance scenario reviews and quotes as assigned.
• Maintain complete, accurate, and timely notes, statuses, activities, and next steps within the company CRM and loan systems.

Qualifications And Skills

• 3+ years of residential mortgage experience involving borrower qualification and pre-approval review.
• Experience reviewing automated underwriting findings through DU and LPA.
• Jumbo, portfolio, Non-QM, self-employed borrower, and complex-income experience, preferred.
• Experience with Encompass, preferred.
• Experience with Blend, mortgage CRM platforms, and Mortgage Coach or similar presentation software, preferred.
• Active NMLS license or commitment to obtain NMLS.
• Knowledge of conventional, FHA, and VA lending guidelines.
• Proficiency in calculating and evaluating income, assets, reserves, credit, liabilities, and debt-to-income ratios.
• Skilled in independently analyzing files and clearly explaining the reasoning behind the recommended loan structure with concise rationale.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Excellent prioritization and time-management skills.
• Skill in managing multiple active files, changing priorities, and time-sensitive offer requests without sacrificing accuracy.
• Demonstrated ownership, sound judgment, and willingness to escalate concerns early.
• Excellent attention to detail and pattern recognition skills to identify inconsistencies and trends.
• Skill in exercising measured, sound judgment under pressure and communicating decisions clearly to internal partners, borrowers and Realtors by phone, email, and video.