Mortgage Underwriter

Mortgage Underwriter

Position Summary: We are seeking an experienced, knowledgeable, and detail-oriented Mortgage Underwriter to join our team. This position is responsible for evaluating residential mortgage loan applications and making sound credit decisions while maintaining a strong commitment to quality, compliance, and timely service. The ideal candidate will have a minimum of three years of mortgage underwriting experience and comprehensive knowledge of Conventional, FHA, and VA lending guidelines. Candidates holding an FHA Direct Endorsement (DE) designation and/or VA LAPP/SAR designation are strongly preferred. This role requires an underwriter who can independently analyze complex loan scenarios, exercise sound judgment, clearly communicate underwriting decisions, and work collaboratively with Mortgage Consultants, processors, and other members of the lending team.

Key Responsibilities

• Review and underwrite residential mortgage loan applications for compliance with applicable Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, FHA, VA, investor, and company guidelines.
• Analyze borrower creditworthiness, including credit history, income and employment, assets, liabilities, and other financial documentation.
• Review property and collateral documentation, including appraisals, title information, and other required documentation.
• Accurately calculate qualifying income for salaried, variable-income, self-employed, rental-income, and other borrower scenarios.
• Make independent and well-supported underwriting decisions, including approvals, suspensions, and denials.
• Issue clear, concise, and appropriate underwriting conditions and communicate the reasoning behind underwriting decisions when necessary.
• Review Automated Underwriting System findings, including Desktop Underwriter (DU) and Loan Product Advisor (LPA), and ensure all applicable requirements are satisfied.
• Maintain compliance with FHA, VA, Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, investor, regulatory, and internal lending requirements.
• Communicate effectively and professionally with Mortgage Consultants, processors, closers, management, and other stakeholders to resolve loan-level questions and conditions.
• Identify potential risks, inconsistencies, or documentation concerns and escalate significant issues when appropriate.
• Maintain current knowledge of changing agency, investor, regulatory, and company guidelines.
• Assist with quality control, audits, post-closing reviews, investor inquiries, and loan-level documentation requests as needed.
• Manage an underwriting pipeline efficiently while meeting established turn-time and service-level expectations.
• Contribute to a collaborative team environment focused on responsible lending, exceptional service, and getting loans to the closing table.

Required Qualifications

• Minimum of 3 years of residential mortgage underwriting experience.
• Strong working knowledge of Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, FHA, and VA guidelines.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze complex income, asset, credit, and collateral documentation.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to make independent, risk-based credit decisions.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Exceptional attention to detail, accuracy, and organization.
• Ability to effectively manage multiple files, priorities, and deadlines in a production-oriented environment.
• Ability to communicate underwriting conditions and decisions clearly and professionally.
• Proficiency with mortgage loan origination and underwriting technology, including Encompass, Desktop Underwriter (DU), and Loan Product Advisor (LPA).

Preferred Qualifications

• FHA Direct Endorsement (DE) designation strongly preferred.
• VA LAPP/SAR designation preferred.
• Experience underwriting a broad mix of Conventional, FHA, and VA purchase and refinance transactions.
• Experience working in a fast-paced mortgage banking environment.

Education

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Bachelor's degree in finance, business, accounting, or a related field preferred.