Sr. Underwriter

Sr. Underwriter

Founded in 2000, Plaza Home Mortgage, Inc. is a privately owned, full-service national lender, offering Wholesale, Correspondent, Renovation and Reverse residential mortgages. Headquartered in San Diego, California, Plaza employs a network of sales associates to serve its clients nationwide. Plaza is dedicated to building quality, long-term relationships with its mortgage broker and correspondent clients by offering comprehensive programs and exceptional customer experience.

This position is responsible for analyzing and evaluating consumer home loan applications as well as the supporting documentation to assess Borrower's creditworthiness. Types of consumer loan applications include, but are not limited to Conventional, Jumbo, FHA, VA, and USDA residential first mortgages. Must be able to recommend approval or denial of credit applications, and provide written and verbal decision and documentation to support the lending decision. This role is full-time; non-exempt and is remote. This position has no supervisory responsibilities, and reports to the Underwriting Team Manager.

Responsibilities and Duties

• Perform mortgage credit analysis, with or without the assistance of an automated underwriting system to determine Borrower's willingness and ability to repay the mortgage debt
• Knowledge of FNMA and FMLMC documentation and general guidelines/standards.
• Validate loan application and supporting documentation and verify that the system of record reflects correct information. Update system of record when required
• Review and validate: income, asset, credit, title, value, and fraud reports
• Ensure all required property information is in system
• Look over all loans to substantiate that they meet Plaza's underwriting guidelines
• Pull credit report as required
• Confirm government required documents are complete and accurate
• Review title information and purchase contract, if applicable
• Run and review quality control tools i.e. FraudGuard and Early Check
• Run, review, and interpret DU/LP/GUS/TotalScoreCard, when applicable
• Document system with all dates and information
• Certify system data integrity
• May underwrite one or all of the following loan types: Conventional, Jumbo, FHA, 2013k, VA, and USDA based on lending authority levels (underwritten loans must meet all quality standards established by Plaza, Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, FHA, VA, and USDA)
• Maintain production standard goals as established by management
• Ability to act as FHA DE, and/or VA Automatic and SAR Underwriter
• Order and review MI based on loan program. Ensure that system of record matches MI certificate
• Approve/deny loans and update the system accordingly with P.A.C.E comments
• Re-underwrite loans when additional information has been received
• May be asked to second sign loan decisions for lower level authority underwriters
• May occasionally be required to provide training for and mentoring to Junior Underwriters and newly hired Senior Underwriters
• Answer and research general underwriting scenario and guideline questions via email and phone
• Complete all required underwriting worksheets and checklists - i.e. Income Worksheet, QM/ATR checklist
• Assist in resolving branch post-closing suspense issues
• Must be able to evaluate and analyze complex income tax returns to establish qualifying income.
• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications

• Recent Underwriting experience in the mortgage industry is a must
• Experience with FHA, VA, or USDA is required
• Thorough grasp of state and federal regulations is required as well as a solid understanding of: HMDA, Regulation Z, Regulation B; the FHLMC, FNMA, FHA rules and processes
• Experience with Loan Origination Systems such as DataTrac
• Knowledge of paperless file environment and image software repository
• Proficiency with computer systems including MS Office (Word, Excel, and Outlook) and Internet Browsers
• Genuine commitment to customer service
• Solid organizational and problem-solving skills
• Proven aptitude to work in both a team and individual environment
• High school diploma or equivalent required; College degree preferred
• Experience with (AUS) automated underwriting systems
• Working knowledge of loan program products and services, and policies essential

Work Environment: This is a remote position.

Compensation and Benefits:

Estimated Rate of Pay:

$40.86 - $50.48 This position is full-time; non-exempt. The estimated range is the budgeted amount for this position. Final offers are based on various factors, including skill set, experience, location, qualifications and other job-related reasons.

In addition, Plaza offers a competitive benefits package; including medical/dental/vision, paid time off and holidays, 401(k), life and pet insurance. Plaza also offers additional benefits such as Accident, Hospital, and Critical Illness insurance, and Flexible spending accounts along with a variety of discounted services.

Plaza is an EEOC employer and follows all federal, state, and local laws relating to fair employment. Plaza Home Mortgage, Inc. is committed to preventing, stopping and remedying all forms of discrimination that occur in its workplace. Managers are accountable for keeping Plaza's workplace free from discrimination and ensuring that Plaza provides equal employment opportunity for all in the workforce and for those seeking to become members of Plaza's workforce. Plaza's employees are protected by laws designed to protect employees from discrimination on the bases of race, religion, color, sex, pregnancy, gender identity, sexual orientation, parental status, national origin, age, disability, family medical history or genetic information, political affiliation, military service, or any other non-merit based factor. These protections extend to all management practices and decisions, including recruitment and hiring practices, appraisal systems, promotions, and training and career development programs. Plaza's employees are also protected against retaliation if they engage in a protected activity, whistleblowing, or the exercise of any appeal or grievance right provided by law. This information is provided by Plaza Home Mortgage, Inc. as a courtesy to its mortgage professional clients and the public and is meant for instructional purposes only. None of the information provided is intended to be legal advice in any context. Plaza does not guarantee, warrant, ensure or promise that information provided is accurate. Terms and conditions of programs and guidelines are subject to change at any time without notice. Any unauthorized use or distribution of this information is strictly prohibited. This is not a commitment to lend. 2024 Plaza Home Mortgage, Inc. Plaza Home Mortgage and the Plaza Home Mortgage logo are registered trademarks of Plaza Home Mortgage, Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. All rights reserved. Plaza Home Mortgage, Inc. is an Equal Housing Lender. Plaza NMLS 2113

Equal Opportunity Employer This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.