How long does a mortgage application take?

5 wooden models of a house next to a sand timer

A mortgage application will solely depend on the complexity of the application and who the application is made with. 

Average times with what we would call a high street mortgage lender (such as Halifax, NatWest, etc) are currently in the region of 1 to 2 weeks.

But every lender is different, and how long it takes to get a mortgage approved changes depending on the lender and their criteria, how many applications they are processing, and your own personal situation.

What’s the average time for a mortgage approval?

For a standard purchase application where an applicant has a clear credit history, the process and average time frames are as follows:

Initial Assessment of the Application:

On receipt of a mortgage application, lenders will assess income, proof of deposit, and identification documents to ensure they match the details disclosed on the application.  

This typically takes a week, unless the request any additional documents

Valuation (Survey):

In most cases, the lender will instruct the valuation (survey) immediately. The surveyor will book a suitable time to visit the property.  Once the report is complete, it‘s returned to the lender for assessment alongside the other documentation. This typically takes place within a week.

How long does it take from valuation to a mortgage offer?

If the initial assessment of your application by the mortgage lender has been completed and signed off, the valuation is then reviewed straight away.  

Assuming the valuation matches the purchase price, it is sent for final checking, and a mortgage offer is produced. You would expect to receive your mortgage offer within a week.

It’s also worth understanding how long mortgage offers last, especially if there are delays in your transaction. Most mortgage offers are valid for 3 to 6 months, but if your offer is due to expire before completion, it’s important to speak to your lender or broker early to discuss your options.

How can Key Solutions help?

As with anything mortgage-related related the best thing to do is to always speak to us so we can give you the very best advice for your circumstances. 

If you need a mortgage approved quickly, perhaps because you are about to move onto the standard variable rate on your current mortgage, we can look at mortgage lenders with quick turnaround times to ensure you don’t pay more than you need to.

Contact us today to find out how we can help!

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About Key Solutions

Here at Key Solutions we believe taking out a mortgage should be easy. Why shouldn’t it? So when people say buying a home or getting a mortgage is one of the most stressful things ever, we say, come and speak to us.

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