# What Happens at a First Mortgage Consultation? Canonical URL: https://valor.mortgage/answers/what-happens-at-a-first-mortgage-consultation/ Page title: Your First Mortgage Consultation | Valor Mortgage By [Christopher Armantrout](https://valor.mortgage/about-us/), Licensed Mortgage Loan Originator · NMLS [#1210804](https://www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org/EntityDetails.aspx/INDIVIDUAL/1210804) Last updated November 5, 2026 Rules accurate as of November 2026 Quick answer At Valor Mortgage, a first consultation has three parts. Christopher listens to your concerns, walks you through the mortgage process from start to finish, and works toward having you leave with a pre-approval letter if your file supports it. You can schedule online, call the office, or stop by on Main Street in Springfield. You don’t need to know the mortgage language first. Rules on this page were checked on November 5, 2026 against Valor Mortgage’s own process. Same-day letters depend on your file. Program terms are subject to agency and lender guidelines and may change, and individual lenders can set stricter rules. ## What to expect in the office November 19, 2025 · 22 seconds · [Watch on YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/shorts/WPLhl25rqyA) **Transcript:** If you're new to the mortgage scene and you're looking to come into my office and to talk about mortgages to see if it's a fit for you, first of all, I'm going to sit and I'm going to listen to all your concerns. Second, I'm going to walk you through what the mortgage process looks like from start to finish so you have an idea of what to expect. Third, I'm going to do my best to have you out the door with a pre-approval letter in hand so that you can go start looking at homes that day. Same-day letters are not guaranteed. A pre-approval is not a commitment to lend. ## What should you bring? | If you want | Bring | |---|---| | Just a conversation | Your questions, and a rough idea of your income, debts and savings | | A pre-approval that day, if possible | 30 days of pay stubs, two years of W-2s, two months of bank statements with all pages, and two forms of ID | | A VA loan | Add your DD-214 or statement of service. See [how a Certificate of Eligibility works](https://valor.mortgage/answers/how-do-veterans-get-a-certificate-of-eligibility/) | | A [self-employed loan](https://valor.mortgage/answers/can-i-get-a-mortgage-if-im-self-employed/) | Add your last two years of signed tax returns and recent bank statements | A starting list. Your loan officer may ask for different or additional documents. ## What should you ask? - Which loan programs fit me, and why? - How much would I need to bring to closing, including [closing costs](https://valor.mortgage/closing-costs-vs-down-payments/)? - What would [my full payment](https://valor.mortgage/answers/what-is-included-in-a-mortgage-payment/) include? - Are there [assistance programs](https://valor.mortgage/down-payment-assistance/) I may qualify for? - What could get in the way, and what should I avoid doing? - Who will I talk to during the process, and how do I reach them? It’s fine not to know how the process works. As Christopher says in one video below, someone who contacted him said he was financially savvy but didn’t know how to buy a house, and walking people through the process is part of the job. ## Does a consultation commit you to anything? No. A conversation doesn’t commit you to take a loan. It’s fine to compare offers, and the CFPB says you can shop around and get multiple preapprovals. When you do, compare official Loan Estimates from the same day, so that you are looking at the same market conditions. ## What if you’re not ready to buy? Come anyway. Christopher’s approach is to build a plan with you if you aren’t ready. See [how early to start](https://valor.mortgage/answers/how-early-should-i-prepare-to-buy-a-house/). On [WSGI’s One Street Over](https://valor.mortgage/podcasts/one-street-over-wsgi-2026-10-19/), he talks about plans that run for years. [Listen from 38:03](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D3ylB6xABmM&t=2283s). ## How do you schedule one? [Book an appointment online](https://valor.mortgage/book-your-appointment/), call (615) 671-9178, or visit the Springfield office. Office hours are Sunday through Thursday from 8 to 5, and Friday from 8 to 3. Valor Mortgage also works with borrowers statewide by phone and online. ## More from Christopher on this ### Simple steps to get the most out of your mortgage consultation March 11, 2026 · 23 seconds · [Watch on YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/shorts/DJLmdJlATIw) The best way to prepare for a consultation with Valor Mortgage is one, to click on the link below to be able to schedule a consultation. Two, you can give our office a call. Or three, you're welcome to stop by our office in Springfield, Tennessee on Main Street. We look forward to seeing you. If you've got any questions, let us know. That way when you buy, you buy with confidence and you buy with Valor. ### Financially savvy, but new to buying a home August 28, 2026 · 33 seconds · [Watch on YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/shorts/s-ez-YrfSN8) All right. So this morning I had a guy contact me and very smart gentleman. And he reached out and he said, Chris, I'm financially savvy, but I honestly don't know how to buy a house. And that's not an issue. We love to work with people like this. This allows us to be able to go through the entire process. And once you're done going through the entire process, you feel a ton more comfortable. And if you feel comfortable and you trust us, then that means you'll refer others to us to be able to help them. Buying doesn't have to be stressful as long as you understand exactly what you're getting into. And we would love to help you with that. So when you buy, buy with confidence, buy with Valor. ### Here’s the approach I take to make the mortgage process easier March 27, 2026 · 27 seconds · [Watch on YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/shorts/zzY95PbDbeY) So what do I want my clients to experience throughout the process? One, I want them to be able to understand what's going on. I want them to feel comfortable from the start of the process. Two, I want them to be able to feel that they could call their loan officer with any questions they may have. But three, I want the conversations to have been such that when they get to the end of the process that they feel like they've been working with family from the start. And that's the culture that we try and drive from Valor Mortgage. ## First consultation FAQ ### Will you pull my credit at the first meeting? Only if you are moving toward a preapproval and you give permission. A prequalification can start with a conversation about your numbers. ### Do I have to come to Springfield? No. Valor Mortgage works with borrowers throughout Tennessee by phone and online. ### How long does a first meeting take? It depends on your questions and how ready your documents are. On the radio, Christopher has said he’ll spend an hour talking with someone to work out whether something fits. ## Where these rules come from | Rule or figure | Source | As of | |---|---|---| | Shopping lenders | [CFPB, what happens when a lender checks your credit](https://www.consumerfinance.gov/ask-cfpb/what-exactly-happens-when-a-mortgage-lender-checks-my-credit-en-2005/) | Nov 5, 2026 | | Loan Estimate | [CFPB, Loan Estimate](https://www.consumerfinance.gov/ask-cfpb/what-is-a-loan-estimate-en-1995/) | Nov 5, 2026 | | Pre-approval steps | [Valor Mortgage first-home guide](https://valor.mortgage/how-to-buy-your-first-home/#pre-approval) | Updated Oct 26, 2026 | ## Related answers and guides - [How early should you prepare to buy a house?](https://valor.mortgage/answers/how-early-should-i-prepare-to-buy-a-house/) - [Should you get pre-approved before looking at houses?](https://valor.mortgage/answers/should-i-get-pre-approved-before-looking-at-houses/) - [How long does it take to get pre-approved?](https://valor.mortgage/answers/how-long-does-it-take-to-get-pre-approved/) - [More answers on buying a home](https://valor.mortgage/answers/#buying). - [About Christopher Armantrout](https://valor.mortgage/about-us/). [Call me at (615) 671-9178](tel:+16156719178). That’s the fastest way to get a straight answer on what you’d qualify for and what a first conversation could cover. If it’s after hours, [grab a time on my calendar](https://valor.mortgage/book-your-appointment/). Pick a slot that works and I’ll call you then. If your life is too chaotic for a phone call right now — I understand — [start an application](https://valor.mortgage/purchase/) and I’ll review it and reach out with a plan. About the author [Christopher Armantrout](https://valor.mortgage/about-us/) Owner & Senior Loan Officer, Valor Mortgage NMLS #1210804 Christopher is a licensed Mortgage Loan Originator in the State of Tennessee and has been originating home loans since 2015. He founded Valor Mortgage in Springfield in 2019 and works with veterans, first-time buyers, self-employed borrowers, and families across Robertson County and Middle Tennessee. [More about Christopher](https://valor.mortgage/about-us/) [Verify this license on NMLS](https://www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org/EntityDetails.aspx/INDIVIDUAL/1210804) **Valor Mortgage, LLC** · Christopher Armantrout, Mortgage Loan Originator, NMLS #1210804 · Valor Mortgage, LLC is powered by Encore Lending Group, LLC, NMLS #1249911 · Licensed in Tennessee · Equal Housing Opportunity 724 S Main St, Springfield, TN 37172 · (615) 671-9178 · christopher@valor.mortgage · [NMLS Consumer Access](https://www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org/EntityDetails.aspx/INDIVIDUAL/1210804) The dollar figures on this page are illustrative examples for general information only and are not an offer, a rate quote, or a commitment to lend. Actual interest rates and APRs vary based on loan program, borrower qualifications, property, market conditions and other factors. Program fees, limits and terms are set by the agencies named above and change without notice; all loans are subject to credit approval, income verification and property appraisal. Not all applicants will qualify. --- ## Contact Valor Mortgage - Christopher Armantrout, Senior Loan Officer, NMLS #1210804 - Phone: [(615) 671-9178](tel:+16156719178) - Email: [christopher@valor.mortgage](mailto:christopher@valor.mortgage) - Office: 724 S Main St, Springfield, TN 37172 - [Book an appointment](https://valor.mortgage/book-your-appointment/) · [Apply online](https://valor.mortgage/purchase/) · [Contact page](https://valor.mortgage/contact-us/) Valor Mortgage, LLC is powered by Encore Lending Group, LLC, NMLS #1249911 ([NMLS Consumer Access](https://www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org/EntityDetails.aspx/COMPANY/1249911)). Christopher Armantrout, Loan Officer, NMLS #1210804. Licensed in Tennessee. Equal Housing Opportunity. All loan programs, rates, terms, and conditions are subject to change without notice. Loan approval is based on borrower qualification, credit review, income verification, and property eligibility. Not all applicants will qualify. Not a commitment to lend.