Rate and points
Ask for the rate and the points attached to it. A lower rate with higher points costs more up front, and without both numbers you cannot compare two offers honestly.
Basics guide
What to ask a loan officer before you apply
Reviewed by Kladi Bejkolli Mortgage Loan Officer, NMLS #1626841 Updated September 27, 2026
The short answer
Ask questions that reveal the real cost and the real risk: What rate and points am I being quoted, and is it locked? What are the total closing costs? What is my full monthly payment with taxes, insurance, and mortgage insurance? What can change before closing, and how will I hear from you and how often? The goal is a loan you understand completely.
Full closing costs
Ask for the total closing costs and the itemized breakdown. You want to know what is locked and what could move before closing, not just the headline number.
The real monthly payment
Principal and interest is only part of the picture. Ask for the full payment including property taxes, homeowners insurance, and mortgage insurance, so the number you plan around matches the life you are actually buying.
What could change
Ask which parts of the estimate depend on events outside your control: the appraisal, your credit, the rate lock window. Know what can move the numbers before you sign a contract that depends on them.
Timeline and communication
Ask how long the process typically takes and how you will be updated along the way. A good loan officer sets clear expectations about checkpoints and actually answers when questions come up.
Before and after
Ask what you should do before applying, like holding off on big purchases or new credit, and what documents to bring to the first meeting. The answers tell you whether this is a partner or just a processor.
General education only: not a quote, an offer of credit, or a promise of approval. Programs and guidelines vary by state, product, and borrower profile. Confirm your situation with Kladi directly.
Next step
Get the same clarity for your own numbers.
Kladi will confirm what applies to the state your property is in and lay out your realistic options with the tradeoffs visible.
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