So, you’ve just filled out your loan application with Certain Lending. You’ve entered all your information, attached documents, and finally hit that big, blue ‘Submit’ button. Now what?
For many borrowers, this moment feels like stepping into a black box. Maybe a confirmation email. Then… waiting. But at Certain Lending, what happens next is anything but vague.
This article pulls back the curtain on what really happens after you submit your loan application. By using Vontive’s cutting-edge technology, Certain Lending has reimagined the traditional, weeks-long mortgage process into something faster, smarter, and significantly more transparent. Here's what goes on behind the scenes, from that first click to final funding.
Step 1: Your Application Enters a Powerful Data Engine
As soon as you submit your application, it’s ingested by Vontive’s Data Platform—the technological backbone powering Certain Lending’s operations.
This platform instantly pulls, organizes, and validates data from various sources:
- Your uploaded documents
- Credit bureaus
- Public and proprietary databases
- Property records and MLS data
This isn't just about collecting paperwork—it’s about transforming your application into a structured, auditable digital file. Every piece of information is logged and labeled, setting the stage for automation and high-speed underwriting.
When your application is submitted, Certain Lending performs a soft credit pull, which does not impact your credit score. This allows us to pre-qualify your creditworthiness without any risk to your current credit standing.
Step 2: AI Quickly Reviews Your Documents
Vontive’s system features a powerful Large Language Model (LLM), which analyzes your documents without waiting for human review.
The LLM:
- Scans 30+ document types (e.g., bank statements)
- Extracts several hundred data points automatically
- Standardizes new data for fast underwriting
This step ensures your loan file is mostly complete before a human underwriter even sees it.
Step 3: Automated Risk Screening Begins
Now that your data is structured, the loan is evaluated through Loan Catch—Vontive’s automated risk engine.
Think of Loan Catch as a digital underwriter that checks every box:
- Verifies property value using AVMs and local comps
- Confirms title status and insurance coverage
- Checks LTV (Loan-to-Value)
- Screens for over 200 risk factors using transparent and intuitive rules
If any risk indicators are flagged—say, a missing title insurance confirmation or a discrepancy in income—they’re queued for exception handling. Clean files, meanwhile, cruise straight to the next step.
Step 4: Property and Collateral Evaluated Instantly
In real estate lending, the property itself is just as important as the borrower. Vontive’s system integrates real-time market analytics to support valuation of the real estate investment. Vontive’s technology assists by:
- Pulls property value via automated valuation models (AVMs)
- Reviews historical performance and price trends in the area
- Assesses renovation status and After Repair Value (ARV), if applicable
This step is particularly powerful for investors and developers seeking bridge, fix-and-flip, or construction loans.
Step 5: Human Underwriters Step In—Only When Needed
This is where Certain Lending really breaks from the traditional mold.
In legacy mortgage systems, underwriters must comb through every detail manually. At Certain Lending, human underwriters only step in when automation detects issues that need a closer look. This makes the process:
- Faster: underwriters aren't bogged down by low-risk files
- More accurate: they can focus entirely on complex edge cases
- Less prone to error: automated rules handle the bulk of validations
Essentially the underwriter is tasked only with reviewing the completed loan file and approving the mortgage for closing.
Step 6: Exception Handling, If Necessary
If the automated system flags any issues, the application is temporarily paused for exception review. This doesn’t mean denial—it just means something needs clarification.
Examples include:
- A bank statement missing a second page
- An unverified LLC operating agreement
- An appraisal that needs a secondary review
You’ll be contacted by a loan officer with clear instructions. Once the issue is resolved and documented, the file re-enters the processing stream.
Step 7: Final Review and Approval
At this stage, all systems converge:
- Borrower data is verified
- Property metrics are validated
- Compliance and regulatory checks are passed
If everything aligns with Certain Lending’s underwriting guidelines, the loan receives formal approval and moves into the closing process. If key conditions are still unmet, the borrower is notified with next steps—or the application may be declined if it doesn’t meet risk tolerance.
Step 8: Closing and Funding
Once approved, the loan enters its final stage:
- Legal documents are generated
- Closing statements are prepared
- Title and escrow agents are looped in
- Funds are wired post-signing
Because Certain Lending’s system keeps everything structured from the start, closing delays are rare. Because Certain Lending’s system keeps everything structured from the start, closing delays are rare. While timelines vary by loan product, Vontive’s technology leverages AI automation to consistently shorten average closing times.
Real-World Example: Complex Deal Closed in 16 Days
Let’s look at how this technology works in action.
An investor approached Certain Lending to finance a foreclosed property in Oakland Hills, CA. The deal was complex:
- The property was left half-finished on stilts
- A prior foreclosure raised title concerns
- There were potential mechanic’s liens from previous contractors
Most lenders would’ve taken over a month just to evaluate the risk. But powered by Vontive’s automation:
- Documents were validated in hours
- Title flags were caught and resolved in 48 hours
- Loan closed in just 16 days, compared to the industry norm of 30+
Deal Snapshot:
- Purchase Price: $500,000
- Renovation Budget: $660,000
- After-Repair Value (ARV): $1,600,000
- Built-In Equity: $440,000
This is the power of technology-backed underwriting.
What Borrowers Can Do to Speed Things Up
While Vontive’s tech does a lot of the heavy lifting, borrowers can still accelerate their own loan timeline:
- Upload complete, legible documents (tax returns, bank statements, etc.)
- Respond quickly to clarification requests
- Be transparent about financials or project timelines
- Have your entities and titles in good order
A prepared borrower plus an automated platform equals record-speed funding.
Final Thoughts: Transparency = Trust
The mortgage process doesn’t have to be mysterious or agonizing. At Certain Lending, powered by Vontive’s intelligent underwriting infrastructure, it’s fast, clear, and built to empower borrowers.
The moment you click ‘Submit,’ your application enters one of the most advanced real estate lending platforms in the country. From data ingestion to risk review, from AI-powered document analysis to final closing, every step is designed for transparency, speed, and accuracy.
This isn’t the mortgage process of the past. It’s the future—and it’s already here.
