Scenario Desk Underwriter

Be part of a team that's committed to making a difference. We believe in our work and our customers. Position Location Remote Type RemoteOffice Location (if not fully remote): n/a

Job Description

The Scenario Desk Underwriter provides our branch network with accurate, timely underwriting guidance on complex aspects of the loan file. By resolving complicated borrower, income, or credit issues early in the process, you will save production underwriters time and ensure a smoother path to closing. What You’ll Do Evaluate challenging borrower, credit, and income situations before the loan file is fully submitted. Review intricate tax return calculations for self-employed individuals, rental income, and non-employment-related income. Determine the eligibility of overtime pay, bonuses, and commissions. Review files with unique credit profiles, including insufficient credit or extenuating circumstances regarding bankruptcies, foreclosures, or short sales. Review residency status, Non-Permanent Resident designations, non-purchasing spouses, and interested-party contributions. Offer alternative financing solutions to the branch network whenever possible, and answer incoming questions submitted to the "Ask Underwriting" queue. Contribute to a positive team environment, support department goals, and participate in special projects as needed. What You Bring (Requirements): 5+ years of residential loan underwriting experience, ideally working with Mortgage Brokers and managing complex, unique cases. Proficiency with Fannie Mae Desktop Underwriter (DU), Freddie Mac Loan Product Advisor (LPA), and Encompass. Experience with common fraud-detection tools is a plus. Solid understanding of mortgage lending regulations and guidelines, including FHA, VA, USDA, FNMA, FHLMC, TILA, RESPA, and Predatory Lending laws. Deep knowledge of mortgage insurance (MI) guidelines, investor products, compliance, and how the processing and closing functions fit into the entire real estate lending lifecycle. Strong problem-solving, critical-thinking, and data-analysis skills. Ability to build great internal relationships and manage detailed work under tight deadlines. Credit signing authority and experience with repurchase response or rebuttal review/preparation are highly preferred. Education & Certifications: DE and VA SAR certifications are highly preferred. Fairway Home Mortgage, founded in 1996, is a nationwide leader in the mortgage industry. Customer service is at the heart of everything we do. We deliver personalized loan solutions with some of the fastest turn times in the industry. Our mission is to act as trusted advisors, guiding clients through every step of the mortgage process to exceed expectations and ensure satisfaction. Our culture promotes innovation, growth, and collaboration, offering exciting career paths and professional development. Whether you're starting out or advancing your career, Fairway is a place where your skills and ambitions can thrive. Current Employees: Head to the Fairway Careers Hub in Workday for internal job openings. We post some job openings internally for our employees and others externally for the general public. If you cannot find the perfect role right now, do not hesitate to contact the Careers Team at [email protected]. We can answer any questions and keep you updated on future opportunities. View our E-Verify and Right to Work notices HERE. Important Notice to Job Seekers! We’ve been made aware of fraudulent messages falsely claiming to be from Fairway recruiters, including links to assessments. These are not legitimate and are not affiliated with Fairway Independent Mortgage Corporation. We’re working with our Information Security team to address this issue. Thank you for your vigilance and continued interest in joining Fairway! All official communication will come from verified Fairway email addresses or our official LinkedIn page. If you receive a suspicious message, please do not click any links and notify us. Apply To This Job