Frequently Asked Questions

Items needed for a loan application may include W-2s and tax returns from the last two years, current pay stubs with year to date earnings, statements for checking, savings, other bank or investment accounts, proof of monthly rental or mortgage payments, and the names of current or past employers. There are also programs available for buyers with non-traditional careers; don’t let the fact that you don’t have access to some of these documents keep you from applying. Two years of employment history is required.

Along with a credit report, lenders will request a credit score (FICO) to help determine whether or not you are eligible for a loan. The score is a credit overview and is weighed by the following:

• 35% payment history 
• 30% amounts owed
• 15% length of credit history
• 10% new credit
• 10% types of credit used
• A median credit score (FICO) ranges from 690 to 740.

There are six steps to the mortgage process: Pre-Approval, Submitting Initial Docs, Processing, Underwriting, Pre-Closing, and Closing. Click here to watch a short video walking you through the whole thing.

You’ve found your dream home and are in the process of closing on your loan, but you haven’t crossed the finish line yet! In this blog, Silverton Mortgage breaks down what you should NOT do leading up to your closing day so that there are no roadblocks as you near the end of your homebuying journey.

• Adjustable Rate Mortgage (ARM) – a mortgage whose interest rate changes over time-based on the index.
• Annual Percentage Rate (APR) – the total yearly cost of a mortgage expressed as a percentage. It includes interest and other finance charges such as points, origination fees and mortgage insurance.
• Debt-to-Income Ratio – the ratio used as a factor in determining if you qualify for a mortgage. Compares your total monthly housing expense and other debt (the amount you pay out) with your total monthly gross income (the amount you earn).
• Deed – the legal document conveying title to a property.
• Down Payment – the difference between the sales price of the home and the mortgage amount. Buyer pays with cash and does not finance with a mortgage.
• Earnest Money – a deposit given to the seller to show that a prospective buyer is serious about purchasing the house.
• FHA Loan – a mortgage that is insured by the Federal Housing Administration (FHA).
• Fixed-Rate Mortgage – a mortgage in which the interest rate does not change during the entire term of the loan.
• Homeowner’s Insurance – Insurance that protects your home and possessions from theft and damage.
• Interest – a fee you pay for borrowing money.
• PITI – "Principal-Interest-Taxes-Insurance", the four elements of your monthly mortgage payment.
• Prequalification – the process of pre-determining how much money a prospective buyer might be eligible to borrow. Prequalifying for a loan does not guarantee approval.
• Principal – your loan amount, not including interest; the amount borrowed or remaining unpaid. Also, the part of the monthly payment that reduces the outstanding balance of a mortgage.
• Purchase/Sales Agreement – a contract between the buyer and seller that defines the terms and conditions of the home purchase.
• Title – written evidence that proves you are the owner of your property.
• Underwriting – the analysis of your overall credit and property value and the determination of a mortgage rate and term.

These may be emailed to Birmingham at customercare@harrisdoyle.com, Auburn at auburncustomercare@harrisdoyle.com, and Coastal at coastalcustomercare@harrisdoyle.com.

After submitting your request, a service order will be issued and emailed to a trade partner and you. The Trade Partner should contact you within 3 business days to schedule the warranty service and complete the service order within 10 business days. The trade partner will ask that you sign the service order once the work is completed.

If an emergency happens during non-business hours, you may call the trade partner's emergency phone numbers. These stickers are located on the inside of the breaker box. Requests that are considered an emergency include electrical, HVAC, and plumbing.

As your new home adjusts to varying seasonal conditions during your first year, certain items may require maintenance, such as:

• Caulking trim separations or cracks
• Grout separation or cracks
• Countertop separation from the wall
• Nail pops in drywall

These items are available for a one-time repair. We recommend waiting until near the end of the 1-year warranty before emailing to report these items so that all shrinkage cracks, etc., have had time to appear.

We’re committed to keeping our homeowners informed every step of the way regarding their Warranty Requests. In some cases, updates may depend on information from our trusted trade partners. When that happens, we work diligently to gather the details as quickly as possible. You can expect regular updates every few days, and we’re always happy to provide additional information whenever you need it.

All Repair Requests Must Be Made in Writing.
In order for Harris Doyle Homes to properly manage our customer care system, all repair requests must be submitted through the website warranty request form or via email.

Repairs are scheduled during our regular business hours, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., to ensure you receive the highest level of service. Weekend and after-hours appointments are reserved only for emergencies. We truly appreciate your understanding and flexibility.

Some repairs may involve coordination between multiple trade partners. When possible, we aim to schedule these visits on the same day for your convenience. In certain situations, however, repairs may need to be completed over multiple days. In those cases, we’ll work closely with you to coordinate scheduling, and we ask that someone be available at home during each visit so the work can be completed efficiently.

Once the repair is complete, you may be asked to sign a Repair Service Order. This form is simply used for quality assurance and recordkeeping—it is not part of your Home Purchase Agreement and is not a binding contract. If you have any concerns about the work performed, our Customer Care Team will review the item to ensure it meets our Building Quality Standards before closing out the request.