Federal Law requires all lenders to investigate whether or not each home they finance is in a special flood hazard area as defined by FEMA, the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Floods happen anytime, anywhere. The Flood Disaster Protection Act of 1973 and the National Flood Insurance Reform Act of 1994 help to ensure you will be protected from financial losses caused by flooding if you have a flood insurance policy.

We use a third party company which specializes in the reviewing of flood maps prepared by FEMA to determine if your home is located in a special flood hazard area. If it is, then flood insurance coverage will be required, since standard homeowner's insurance does not protect you against damages from flooding.

Licensed appraisers who are familiar with home values in your area perform appraisals. We order the appraisal as soon as the appraisal fee is paid. Generally, it takes 10-14 days before the written report is sent to us. We follow up with the appraiser to insure that it is completed as soon as possible. If you are refinancing, and an interior inspection of the home is necessary, the appraiser should contact you to schedule a viewing appointment. If you do not hear from the appraiser within seven days of the order date, please inform your Mortgage Banking Officer. If you are purchasing a new home, the appraiser will contact the real estate agent, if you are using one, or the seller to schedule an appointment to view the home.

We define manufactured housing as housing units which are factory built with a steel undercarriage that remains as a structural component and limits the structure to a single story. These types of manufactured homes are sometimes known as mobile homes. We do not consider other factory-built housing (not built on a permanent chassis), such as modular, prefabricated, panelized, or sectional housing, to be manufactured housing. If your home is one of these types, please complete the application indicating your home is a single family home.

In order to qualify for our loan programs a manufactured home must meet the following requirements:

• A manufactured home is any dwelling built on a permanent chassis and attached to a permanent foundation system.
• Be a one-family dwelling which is legally classified as real property.
• The towing hitch, wheels, and axles must have been removed and the home must be permanently attached to a foundation system which meets state and local codes as well as the manufacturer’s requirements.
• Foundation system must be appropriate for the soil conditions for the site and meet local and state codes.
• Must have been built in compliance with the Federal Manufactured Home Construction and Safety Standards established June 15, 1976. Generally, compliance with these standards will be evidenced by the presence of a HUD Data Plate that is affixed near the main electrical panel of the home or in another readily accessible and visible location.
• Must be at least double-width, 24 feet wide, and have a minimum 600 square feet of gross living area. Must be acceptable to typical purchasers in the market area.
• Must be on owned or leased land.

Your property must be complete and in good condition. Unfinished areas or repairs and renovations in process may affect our ability to offer some loan products.

Please describe your property condition to us in detail if it is in some way incomplete.

The closing will take place at one of our branch locations or at the office of an attorney in your area, who will act as our agent. If you are purchasing a new home, the seller may also be at the closing to transfer ownership to you.

During the closing you will be reviewing and signing several loan papers. The closing agent or attorney conducting the closing will be able to answer any questions you have and you may feel free to contact us for further clarifications.

To make sure there are no surprises at closing, the agent will contact you a few days before closing to review your final fees, loan amount, first payment date, etc.

The most important documents you will be signing at the closing include:

The Loan Estimate

This document is a form that lays out important information about the loan you applied for. The lender sends you a Loan Estimate within three business days of receiving your application.   

The Closing Disclosure

This document is a form that lists all final terms of the loan you’ve selected, final closing costs, and the details of who pays and who receives money at closing. Your lender sends you a Closing Disclosure at least three business days before closing.   

Note

This is the document you sign to agree to repay your mortgage. The note will provide you with all of the details of your loan including the interest rate and length of time to repay the loan. It also explains the penalties you may incur if you fall behind in making your payments.

Mortgage

This document pledges a property to the lender as security for repayment of a debt. Essentially this means you will give up your property to the lender in the event that you cannot make the mortgage payments. The Mortgage restates the basic information contained in the Note, and details the responsibilities of the borrower.

The Notice of the Right to Rescind

This notice informs you that you have three business days from the lender’s fulfillment of certain conditions to cancel your loan and provides a form for cancelling the loan, if applicable. This does not pertain to loans used to purchase a home, but does for refinancing and home equity lines of credit.

The Initial Escrow Statement

Lists the estimated taxes, insurance premiums, and other charges the lender anticipates paying from your escrow account during the first year of your loan, if applicable.

Please contact your lender if you have questions about attorney representation. By all means, we recommend that you have an attorney at the closing if it would make you more comfortable. If your attorney has any questions about your new mortgage, please refer them to us. We would be happy to provide any information necessary.

The closing agent acts as our agent and will represent us at the closing. He/she will contact you prior to closing to talk about your final documents and to provide a final breakdown of your closing fees. If you have any questions the closing agent cannot answer during the closing, ask them to contact us by phone and we will get you the answers you need - before the closing is over.

If you are not able to attend the loan closing, contact your Mortgage Banking Officer to discuss other options. If someone you trust is able to attend on your behalf, you may execute a Power of Attorney so the person can sign documents on your behalf.

Automated monthly payments are available. At the loan closing an automated payment application will be provided. Simply return it at your earliest convenience to enroll in the automated payment program.

For your convenience, we will schedule your closing to take place in one of our branches or the office of the closing agent, near your home.

We will deliver the loan documents and wire transfer your loan funds to the closing agent or attorney prior to closing so they will have plenty of time to prepare for your closing.