Organize your documents
Whether you are buying or refinancing a home, there are many important documents that will be needed to process your home loan. However, this will depend on what status you currently hold in the USA, if you are a Brit. To make the process go quickly and smoothly, gathering the following documents are normally required:
US Citizens/Green Card Holders: two years W-2 and one month of pay stubs, or if you are self-employed, two years tax returns, three months bank statements, copies of any stock brokerage or IRA/401K accounts, and if you own rental property, please provide rental agreements and two years tax returns.
Non-Permanent Resident Aliens (Visa Holders): W2 (if you have one), pay stub, copy of your visa and passport, 3 months bank statements, if you own a house in UK a copy of the most up to date transactions, a copy of your UK credit report ( obtain from www.experian.co.uk) a copy of the rental agreement if you are renting your house in UK. Employment/Assets verification.

Foreign National (Holiday Home Buyer): 3 months bank statements, if you own a house in UK a copy of the most up to date transactions, a copy of your UK credit report ( obtain from www.experian.co.uk), a copy of your passport, a copy of the purchase contract. Employment/Assets verification.
There may be some other documents required, but we will let you know.

Shop loan programs and rates
To find the right loan for you, you need to consider how long you plan to keep the loan. If you plan to sell the house in a few years you may want to consider an adjustable rate loan. On the other hand, if you plan to keep the house for a longer time, you may want to look at fixed rate loan. Compare different programs. Shopping for a loan can be difficult, so an experienced loan officer can help you make a decision that's best for you.

Get Pre-Qualified
Pre-qualification occurs before the loan process actually begins, and is usually the first step after initial contact is made. The lender gathers information about the income and debts of the borrower and makes a financial determination about how much house the borrower may be able to afford. By getting pre-qualified or pre-approved, you don't waste time looking for properties you can not afford. It also puts you in a stronger position when you are negotiating with the seller, because the seller knows that your loan is already preapproved. This step helps you close quickly, since your loan is already approved.

Apply for the Loan
The buyer, now referred to as a "borrower", completes a mortgage application with the loan officer and supplies all of the required documentation for processing. Various fees and down payments are discussed at this time and the borrower will receive a Good Faith Estimate (GFE) and a Truth-In-Lending statement (TIL) within three days that itemizes the rates and associated costs for obtaining the loan. The specific loan program and rates will be determined at this time.

Obtain Loan Approval
Once your loan application has been received we will start the loan approval process immediately. This involves verifying your credit history, employment history, assets including your bank accounts, stocks, mutual fund and retirement accounts, and property value. To improve your chances of getting a loan approval, make sure you have filled out the loan application completely and honestly. Do not make any major purchases such as a car, furniture, or another house, until the loan is closed. Finally, be sure you can provide a written explanation for any unacceptable late payments or collections for judgment, etc.

Close the Loan
Closing usually occurs between days 25 and 45 of the loan process. Though this process can be longer when there are a couple of countries involved. At the closing, the lender "funds" the loan with a cashier's check, draft or wire to the selling party in exchange for the title to the property. This is the point at which the borrower finishes the loan process and actually buys the house. You will be required to sign the final loan documents in front of a notary public. Make sure that the interest rate and loan terms are what you were promised as well as the name and address on the loan documents are accurate. Bring a cashier's check for your down payment and closing costs if required. Personal checks are not accepted.