Applicant - Mortgage

The Mortgage Underwriter is responsible for analyzing, evaluating, and underwriting residential mortgage loan applications across Conventional and Non-Qualified Mortgage (Non-QM) programs, including Debt Service Coverage Ratio (DSCR) loans and alternative documentation products. This role ensures compliance with investor, agency, company, and regulatory guidelines while assessing borrower eligibility, mitigating lending risk, and supporting timely loan decisions. The ideal candidate possesses strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and the ability to make sound underwriting decisions in a fast-paced mortgage lending environment.
Key Responsibilities
Review and underwrite residential mortgage loan applications, including Conventional, Non-QM, and DSCR loan products.
Analyze borrower credit profiles, income, assets, employment history, financial stability, and collateral to determine loan eligibility and risk exposure.
Evaluate alternative documentation loan programs, including bank statement, asset depletion, ITIN, 1099, and P&L-only loans.
Calculate and assess Debt Service Coverage Ratios (DSCR) and perform complex income and risk analyses.
Ensure compliance with agency, investor, company, federal, and state lending guidelines, including Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, ATR/QM, TRID, RESPA, TILA, HMDA, HOEPA, and other applicable regulations.
Perform manual underwriting when required and evaluate exception requests within established risk parameters.
Issue loan approvals, conditional approvals, suspensions, or denials based on underwriting guidelines and risk assessment.
Review loan documentation for accuracy, completeness, consistency, and regulatory compliance, identifying discrepancies and potential risk factors.
Communicate underwriting requirements and decisions to loan officers, account executives, brokers, processors, and other stakeholders.
Review resubmitted conditions and documentation to ensure timely loan processing and closing.
Maintain accurate records of underwriting decisions and loan documentation.
Support internal audits, quality control reviews, and post-closing documentation requests.
Stay current on mortgage industry trends, investor requirements, agency guidelines, regulatory changes, and Non-QM product offerings.
Contribute to process improvement initiatives aimed at enhancing operational efficiency, loan quality, and customer service levels.
Manage multiple loan files while meeting service level agreements and production deadlines.
Required Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in Finance, Business Administration, Economics, or a related field preferred; equivalent industry experience may be considered.
Minimum 2–5 years of mortgage underwriting experience, including Conventional and/or Non-QM loan products.
Strong knowledge of Conventional underwriting guidelines, including Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac requirements.
Experience underwriting Non-QM products, including DSCR and alternative documentation loans, preferred.
Thorough understanding of mortgage lending regulations and compliance requirements.
Proficiency with Loan Origination Systems (LOS), Automated Underwriting Systems (AUS), including DU and LP, and electronic document management systems.
Strong analytical, critical thinking, and decision-making skills.
Ability to perform detailed income calculations, credit analysis, collateral review, and risk assessment.
Good written and verbal communication skills.
High attention to detail with strong organizational and time-management abilities.
Ability to work independently and effectively manage a high-volume pipeline in a fast-paced environment.
Preferred Qualifications
Experience working with wholesale, correspondent, or retail mortgage lending channels.
Familiarity with secondary market requirements and investor-specific guidelines.
Knowledge of quality control, audit processes, and post-closing reviews

Employment type
Full-time

Work arrangement
No