Who Uses Form 1003?

Most U.S. mortgage lenders use either Form 1003 or Form 65 for evaluating potential applicants. If you’re applying for a purchase loan, refinance, or construction-to-permanent loan, you will likely use this form. You’ll also use it for FHA, conventional, USDA, and VA loans.  Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac purchase mortgage loans in bulk. They either hold these loans as their own or resell them to investors as part of mortgage-backed securities. Either way, the loans they purchase must comply with all internal guidelines. Lenders can ensure their loans align with Fannie and Freddie’s rules by using Forms 1003 or 65. This will make the loans eligible for resale by these government-sponsored entities. 

How To Fill Out and Read Form 1003

Form 1003 was updated in 2017. A final version was rolled out in 2020. Lenders began using this version on Sept. 1, 2020. The old version will no longer be accepted after Nov. 1, 2021. You should have certain documentation on hand regarding your income, debts, assets, and the home you’re considering buying before you begin filling out Form 1003. This includes:

Property information: Address, year built, intended property use Loan information: Type and purpose of loan, amount, length of the loan Borrower and co-borrower information: Name, Social Security number, marital status, address, phone number, date of birth Employment data: Employer name and address, years on the job, years in the industry, position title, employer’s phone number Income data: Monthly income, including bonuses, overtime, and commissions, rental income, dividends Housing expenses: Monthly rent or other mortgages, hazard insurance, and real estate taxes on current property Assets and debts: Banking and savings account balances, IRAs, 401(k)s and retirement accounts, stocks, bonds, life insurance values, other real estate owned, credit card balances, car loan balances, other monthly payments Transaction details: Purchase price, estimated closing costs, discount points, mortgage insurance Demographic data: Citizenship, resident status, ethnicity, gender, race Signatures: Signatures of both you and your co-borrower acknowledging the accuracy of your form

This information pertains to the 2020 version of the form. Make sure you’ve filled in everything accurately before signing the application. If you spot any issues, errors, or omissions, contact your lender. They can help you fix the problem.

Other Required Documents

The Form 1003 Mortgage Application is only one step in the mortgage loan process. You might have to fill it out twice: once at the beginning of your application and then again before closing. The second completion will verify that all information is still accurate and will confirm the loan’s terms and rate. Beyond Forms 1003 and 65, you must also provide your lender with other types of documentation to support your application. This paperwork often includes pay stubs, bank statements, W-2s, and tax returns. Make sure you have the following documents on hand. It will make filling out your 1003 loan application easier. You’ll most likely have to provide some of it to your lender when your loan is in underwriting.

Two recent pay stubs The purchase offer or sales contract on the home Your Social Security card and state ID, such as your driver’s license A copy of your most recent mortgage bill Your most recent checking and savings account statements Statements for any IRAs, 401(k)s, or retirement accounts you hold Recent credit card and auto loan statements Policy documents for any life insurance you might have Data on any real estate you currently hold Your previous two years’ tax returns and W-2 forms

Consider scanning or photographing all these documents and storing them digitally. You’ll be able to transfer them easily when your lender asks for them.