Sr Loan Eligibility Specialist
Join a winning team of innovative thinkers, seasoned mortgage professionals, and financial experts. Build your career at Planet —recognized as a Top Mortgage Employer by National Mortgage Professional.
Job Summary The Sr Loan Eligibility Specialist is responsible for performing advanced eligibility, documentation, and risk reviews for delegated, non-delegated, government, conventional, renovation, and non-agency mortgage loans. This role serves as a subject matter expert in loan eligibility, complex income analysis, and investor/ Planet guideline interpretation. The Sr Loan Eligibility Specialist independently evaluates complex borrower scenarios, validates compliance with agency, investor, and Planet Home requirements, and provides guidance to internal stakeholders regarding loan eligibility, documentation requirements, and risk considerations. This position supports the organization's quality, compliance, and operational objectives by ensuring loans are accurately structured and meet purchase and underwriting requirements prior to advancement in the loan lifecycle. Essential Duties and Responsibilities
- Performs comprehensive eligibility reviews for complex mortgage transactions, including Conventional, FHA, VA, USDA, Renovation, and Non-Agency products. Evaluates borrower risk profiles and identifies potential eligibility concerns related to credit, collateral, occupancy, assets, and documentation. Interprets and applies agency, investor, and Planet overlays to determine loan eligibility and purchaseability.
- Accurately inputs and validates loan data within the Loan Origination System (LOS), ensuring all required data fields are complete and accurate prior to underwriting and/or purchase; Identifies and resolves documentation deficiencies, discrepancies, and conflicting information.
- Serves as a point of escalation for complex eligibility questions and suspense conditions. Partners with Sellers, Underwriters, Account Managers, and Operations leadership to resolve issues impacting loan progression.
- Maintains expert-level knowledge of: Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, FHA, VA, USDA, Renovation Products, HELOANs, Non-Agency Products. Reviews and interprets investor updates, guideline revisions, and policy changes to ensure consistent application across the department.
- Serves as a subject matter expert for complex loan scenarios. Assists internal teams and correspondent partners in evaluating loan structure, product eligibility, documentation requirements, and alternative solutions to support loan salability and purchaseability.
- Participates in special projects, process improvement initiatives, training, system implementations, and cross-functional collaboration as assigned to support evolving business needs and product offerings.
- Performs other duties as required.
Position Requirements Education
- High School graduate or GED required.
- Some college preferred.
Experience
- Minimum five (5) years of mortgage operations, underwriting, loan eligibility, quality control, or underwriting support experience.
- Minimum three (3) years of experience reviewing complex Conventional, Government, Jumbo, Renovation, Non-Delegated, or Non-Agency mortgage products.
- Advanced experience analyzing self-employed borrower income and non-traditional income documentation preferred.
- Correspondent lending experience strongly preferred.
Functional/Technical Skills
- Advanced knowledge of Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, FHA, VA, USDA, Jumbo, Renovation, and Non-Agency guidelines.
- Advanced income calculation and cash-flow analysis skills.
- Ability to interpret tax returns, business returns, profit and loss statements, bank statements, and financial documentation.
- Exceptional analytical, decision-making, and problem-solving skills.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to train and mentor less experienced team members.
Environmental/Physical Demands Work is typically performed in a standard office env