Frequently Asked Questions.

The first step to buying a home is getting pre-approved. We’ll gather your information, review your goals, and determine how much you qualify for. This not only sets your budget but also makes your offers more competitive.

A mortgage credit check is a hard inquiry, which may slightly impact your credit score. However, multiple inquiries within a short period for the same purpose are often treated as one. We’ll guide you to minimize any impact while securing your loan.

Fairway’s Closing Guarantee is a result of the confidence we have in our team. We are so confident in our process that if we made a mistake we will cover certain expenses and fees associated with the error. Please reach out to one of our loan officers today for more information! Fairway’s Cash Guarantee is a program we offer that helps your pre-approval complete and stand out. The program comes with an addendum that is added to the contract wherein Fairway agrees to buy the property should the deal fall apart for certain reasons. It helps give the seller confidence in your offer being the best for them. Please ask one of our loan officers for more information.

The different consumer credit services do not use the mortgage industry scoring model so their score will be different from what we see. These programs are a great way to get a look at and monitor your credit report though. You should look at your credit report annually at a minimum to ensure its accuracy.

It means that a commitment has been made between my company and the investor on your behalf regarding the interest rate in your mortgage loan. Our mortgage advisors watch the market on a daily basis to make sure that when we lock your interest rate, it is in the best interest for you and your loan.

Interest rates fluctuate based on changes in the stock market and economic indicators from the U.S. and global markets. We monitor these trends daily to help you lock in the best rate for your loan.

Origination points are fees we charge for processing your loan, while discount points are an upfront payment to reduce your interest rate. Both affect your total loan cost and monthly payments, so we’ll help you decide what’s best for your situation.

Refinancing your mortgage can lower your interest rate, consolidate debt, shorten your loan term, or free up funds for home improvements. Let’s review your goals together to see if refinancing is the right move for you.

It's simple, we put our clients first. We are here to serve people, loans are just one way we do that. Once you go through our mortgage planning process and experience the Fairway difference, you'll never go anywhere else. When you combine our rates, experience, and level of service we simply cannot be beat.

Start with a 10–15 minute discovery call or submit the short form on our site. We’ll review your goals (monthly comfort, timeline, down payment), take a quick look at income/assets/credit, and then compare options—Conventional, FHA, VA, USDA, Jumbo, and renovation loans—side-by-side for total cost, payment, and cash-to-close. You’ll get a same-day (business hours) pre-approval in most cases, a clear game plan to strengthen your file if needed, and local guidance for Mecklenburg/Union County neighborhoods and NC programs. Next steps: Book A Call (https://www.metrolinafairway.com/scheudle-a-call) What we personalize: • Payment targets, points vs. credits, and lock strategy • Down-payment assistance paths (NC/Charlotte options), seller credits & buydowns • Self-employed, investor, and VA borrower scenarios • Timeline planning from offer → appraisal → clear-to-close What to have ready: last 30 days’ pay stubs, 2 months’ bank statements, W-2s/1099s, ID; self-employed: 2 years’ returns/YTD P&L.

Start with a clean pre-approval: verify your credit, income, and assets. Then shop for homes, lock in terms, complete appraisal and underwriting, and close on time with transparent costs. We provide a straightforward document checklist and side-by-side payment options to guide you through the process.

USDA loans are for eligible rural areas around Charlotte, require the home to be a primary residence, follow household income limits, and often allow 0% down with closing costs options. We confirm property eligibility and income and outline credit/DTI guidelines for your scenario.

Look for a lender that offers same- or next-business-day pre-approvals once documents are in, plus a clear checklist and timeline. That’s our standard process for Charlotte buyers and investors so you can write stronger offers.

Use DSCR or conventional 1–4 unit options designed for STRs. We review platform payouts, seasonality/occupancy, expenses, and reserves so underwriting moves smoothly and you close on time.

Choose a lender that provides weekly milestone updates, scenario comparisons (DSCR vs. full-doc), and realistic contract timelines. Our Charlotte team does exactly that for SFR and 1–4 unit investors.

Combine DSCR financing (qualify on cash flow), strategic cash-out refinances, and clean documentation. Keep reserves, line up pre-approvals before offers, and time refis to fund the next acquisition without losing momentum.