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Greg Aftayev
All open roles

Operations

Mortgage Underwriter

Manually underwrite and approve Conventional, FHA, VA, and USDA loans salable to Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and Ginnie Mae, while maintaining high file quality and sound credit decisions.

Location / Work

Chesterfield, MO (on-site)

Employment Type

Full-time - On-site

Compensation

Competitive salary plus bonus

Experience

5+ years underwriting; FHA DE required

Compensation Overview

This is a competitive salary-plus-bonus position, based on experience.

About Homestead Financial Mortgage

Homestead Financial Mortgage is a direct lender founded in Chesterfield, Missouri in 1998, with offices at 14897 Clayton Road, Chesterfield, MO 63017. As a direct lender, we handle processing, underwriting, and closing in-house, which gives our team greater control over each file, faster turn times, and a more collaborative day-to-day environment.

We grow around the right group of people. Every team member brings something different to the table, and we build our culture around responsiveness, professionalism, and helping one another succeed.

Meet Greg Aftayev - 28+ years in mortgage

Role Overview

You will support production while maintaining high-quality files salable to Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and Ginnie Mae, including manually underwriting USDA and FHA loans.

You will review, analyze, approve, and manually underwrite home mortgage applications - including large, unusual, or complex files - within company and industry guidelines, and clearly explain the rationale behind each credit decision.

Key Responsibilities

  1. Manually underwrite Conventional, FHA, and USDA loans within company and industry guidelines.
  2. Review financial statements, credit reports, and applicable ratios such as debt ratios and loan-to-value.
  3. Examine transactions for accuracy and completeness and prepare formal reports for review.
  4. Apply fraud-detection techniques and perform compliance reviews.
  5. Assist with re-negotiation of loans based on lending guidelines and clearly explain credit decisions.

Required Qualifications

  • Five or more years of mortgage underwriting experience.
  • FHA Direct Endorsement (DE) authority.
  • Knowledge of underwriting and origination, including review of income, asset, and credit documentation.

Preferred Qualifications

  • LAPP authority and VA SAR designation.
  • Hands-on experience with Encompass.
  • Basic Microsoft Office skills.

Skills & Competencies

  • Strong analytical skills, including the ability to analyze complex data.
  • Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
  • Sound judgment with strong attention to detail and the ability to work with all team members.
  • Comfortable working in Salesforce (our CRM) and Encompass by ICE Mortgage Technology (our loan origination platform); prior hands-on experience with either is a plus, and we train the right person.
  • Comfortable using modern AI tools to work more efficiently - for example, drafting and paraphrasing emails, summarizing documents, and sharpening written communication - while always handling client and company information securely.
  • Collaborative and solutions-oriented, with a habit of picking up the phone to resolve issues directly across sales, processing, underwriting, and closing.

Benefits & Support

  • 401(k) / retirement plan
  • Health insurance
  • Dental insurance
  • Vision insurance
  • Life insurance
  • Health savings account (HSA)
  • Paid time off
  • Professional development support

Specific benefits may vary by role and eligibility.

Licensing & Compliance

  • FHA Direct Endorsement (DE) authority is required.
  • VA SAR and LAPP authority are preferred.
  • All underwriting must comply with agency and investor guidelines, including Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, FHA, VA, and USDA.

Application Questions

  • How many years of mortgage underwriting experience do you have, and when was your most recent underwriting role? *
  • Do you hold FHA Direct Endorsement (DE) authority? Please also note any VA SAR or LAPP authority you hold. *
  • Describe your experience manually underwriting Conventional, FHA, VA, and USDA loans, including how you analyze income, assets, credit, and ratios. *
  • Give an example of a complex or borderline file you underwrote. How did you assess the risk and arrive at your credit decision? *

You will answer these when you apply. Fields marked * are required.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Homestead Financial Mortgage is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic.