Yes, you can switch VA lenders during the holidays if you have not signed and funded your loan. The tradeoff is time: a new lender must re-disclose, re-underwrite, and coordinate appraisal and funding steps while business days are limited. If you are under contract, protect your closing date by moving the case number and appraisal immediately and avoiding late changes.
Key Timing Risks During the Holidays
- A lender switch often resets disclosures, so the three-business-day Closing Disclosure review can push signing into the next open week.
- Reduced staffing at lenders, title companies, and appraisers can slow final conditions, repair verification, and appraisal transfer requests.
- Bank wire cutoffs and recorder closures can create a dry closing, where you sign but funding and keys wait until the next business day.
- If you are within ten business days of closing, require a written timeline from the new lender before you trigger any transfer.
What Must Transfer to the New Lender
- Your VA case number should be reassigned to the new lender, because it links the file to your property and appraisal record.
- The VA appraisal is generally portable, but the new lender still inherits any required repairs, reinspections, or valuation conditions.
- Expect updated income, asset, and insurance documents, since underwriting must verify that nothing material changed since your last submission.
Top Questions About Switching VA Lenders During the Holidays
What Is the 210-Day Rule for a VA IRRRL?
A VA Interest Rate Reduction Refinance Loan is a streamlined refinance option after you already own the home. VA guidance commonly requires seasoning, such as at least 210 days from the first payment due date and six on-time payments, before the new loan can close. That is why switching lenders is easiest before funding.
What VA Offices Close on Federal Holidays?
VA administrative offices generally follow the federal holiday calendar, so routine processing pauses on holidays such as Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. VA medical centers with emergency care remain open, but support functions can be limited. For a closing timeline, treat federal holidays as non-business days and confirm schedules with your lender and title company.
Key Takeaways
- You can switch VA lenders before funding, but holiday business days shrink your margin.
- Request the VA case number transfer in writing, and keep proof of delivery today.
- Appraisal portability usually saves time, but required repairs still must clear before final closing.
- A new lender will re-disclose, so your Closing Disclosure waiting period may restart again.
- Wire cutoffs and recorder closures can cause a dry closing and delay key pickup.
- If you are within ten business days, demand a written timeline before switching lenders.
Can You Switch VA Lenders Before Closing?
Yes, you can switch VA lenders any time before you sign and the loan funds. The benefit follows you, not the lender, but a switch can reset underwriting and disclosures. During holiday weeks, fewer business days compress the schedule, so you need a clear transfer plan for the case number and appraisal. The VA describes the program structure on its VA Home Loans overview.
A lender switch is most useful when it fixes a real problem: uncompetitive pricing, poor communication, repeated missed deadlines, or an underwriting path that no longer fits your file. It is least useful when you are already days from closing and the only issue is frustration, because the mechanics of switching can create new delays.
- Switching lenders can make sense when rate, fees, or responsiveness improve enough to justify re-underwriting and re-disclosure time risk during a holiday week.
- Your purchase contract stays the same, but your performance timeline changes, so confirm seller extensions before you trigger a lender transfer.
- If you are close to closing, a switch should include a written plan for appraisal transfer, new disclosures, and funding logistics.
- Ask the new lender to underwrite your file to a realistic closing date, then confirm they can absorb the appraisal and case number without restarting.
- Send a dated, signed request to your current lender to release the VA case number and appraisal, and keep the email chain intact.
- Hold your finances steady until funding, because new debt, new credit, or large transfers can force the new lender to re-verify everything.
The operational standard is simple: do not switch unless the new lender can show you, in writing, how they will close on time with the same contract terms.
VA Loan Resources
- Complete VA Loan Guide – Eligibility, core benefits, and how VA mortgages work.
- VA Loan Requirements – Credit, income, and service rules you need to qualify.
- VA Funding Fee Explained – Rates, exemptions, and how to roll it into your loan.
- VA Loan Closing Costs – Typical fees and how sellers can help pay them.
- VA Minimum Property Requirements (MPRs) – What homes must have to pass the VA appraisal.
- Compare 2–3 VA Lenders – Get personalized rate quotes from vetted VA-approved lenders.
What Is the Fastest Way to Compare Two VA Loan Offers?
Compare Loan Estimates side by side, focusing on rate, lender fees, credits, and cash-to-close. Keep the loan type and lock window identical so the math is honest. During holiday weeks, a slightly higher rate can still win if it prevents a missed contract date and costly extensions. The CFPB explains how to read a Loan Estimate line by line.
Do not compare a “best case” quote to a “fully disclosed” estimate. A fair comparison uses the same purchase price, down payment, credit assumptions, and expected close date. If one lender is quoting a shorter lock or a different program structure, the numbers are not apples to apples.
- Compare the interest rate and whether it is locked, because a lower rate with higher fees may not reduce your payment meaningfully.
- Check lender fees and points separately from third-party costs, since title, taxes, and insurance often stay similar regardless of lender choice.
- Verify lender credits and any promised processing speed in writing, because holiday staffing can erase an advertised fast-close claim quickly.
- Request Loan Estimates from both lenders on the same day, using the same purchase price, loan type, and down payment so the totals are comparable.
- Compare cash to close, total lender fees, and the break-even point on credits or points, not just the headline interest rate.
- Ask each lender for a day-by-day plan to your contract closing date, including when appraisal transfer, underwriting, and Closing Disclosure issuance will occur.
If your goal is to switch lenders without losing your closing date, prioritize the lender who can prove execution capacity, not the lender who promises it.
How Does the Closing Disclosure Waiting Period Work Around Federal Holidays?
The Closing Disclosure must be received at least three business days before you can close. Federal holidays and Sundays are not counted in the waiting period. If you switch lenders late, the new lender may need to reissue a Closing Disclosure, which can shift your signing date even when everything else is ready. The timing rules are defined in 12 CFR 1026.19.
One common failure point is confusing signing with funding. You may be able to sign documents, but if the lender cannot fund and the deed cannot record, you may not receive keys on the day you expected. Holiday weeks amplify this risk because fewer business days exist to recover.
| Milestone | Example Day | Counts Toward the 3-Day Review? | What to Watch |
|---|---|---|---|
| Closing Disclosure received | Monday | No (start point) | Confirm the timestamp and delivery method, because the clock starts at receipt, not “sent.” |
| Business day 1 | Tuesday | Yes | Clear any last underwriting conditions, because unresolved items can force a corrected disclosure. |
| Business day 2 | Wednesday | Yes | Confirm title is ready to close and wire instructions are verified through a trusted channel. |
| Federal holiday | Thursday | No | Assume limited staffing, limited banking, and possible recorder closures depending on your county. |
| Business day 3 | Friday | Yes | Signing is typically eligible after the waiting period, but funding still depends on wire timing. |
- The clock starts when you receive the Closing Disclosure, not when it is merely sent, so confirm delivery method and timestamp.
- If your lender must issue a corrected Closing Disclosure due to key changes, your signing date can slide even if the file was otherwise ready.
- Holiday weeks also reduce title and notary availability, so plan your signing appointment early in the day and early in the week.
- As soon as the new lender issues the Closing Disclosure, count forward three business days while skipping Sundays and federal holidays to find the earliest signing.
- Schedule the final walkthrough and utility transfers after you confirm the funding and recording day, because signing alone does not always release keys.
- Avoid last-minute contract amendments that change credits or loan terms, because even small adjustments can require re-disclosure and new timing.
To keep the closing on the critical path, treat the Closing Disclosure as a calendar gate, and plan everything else around it.
How Do You Transfer a VA Case Number and Appraisal to a New Lender?
You start a transfer by giving the new lender your signed request to move the VA case number and appraisal. In most cases, the appraisal can be reassigned to the new lender, but conditions follow the file. The transfer mechanics and appraisal process are detailed in the VA lender guidance in VA Lender's Handbook Chapter 10.
Appraisal portability is helpful, but it is not a shortcut around repairs. If the appraiser called out health and safety items or required repairs, those items still must be cleared. The new lender also has to verify income, assets, and insurance again to satisfy underwriting requirements.
| Item | Usually Transferable? | What It Means for Your Timeline |
|---|---|---|
| VA case number | Yes | The case number ties your file to the property, so moving it quickly prevents the file from stalling between lenders. |
| VA appraisal report | Often | Portability can prevent re-ordering, but any repairs, reinspections, or valuation conditions still must be resolved. |
| Title work | Usually | Title can keep moving, but the title company needs updated lender instructions to prepare documents correctly. |
| Underwriting conditions | Partially | A new lender will restate conditions in their own checklist, especially for income and assets, which can add days. |
- Your written request should identify the property address, your name, and the new lender’s contact information so the old lender can release the file quickly.
- Appraisal portability saves time, but any required repairs, reinspections, or value conditions still must be cleared before the new lender can close.
- Expect the new lender to request fresh pay, asset, and insurance documents, because underwriting must confirm nothing material changed since initial approval.
- Email the current lender a signed authorization to transfer the VA case number and appraisal, and copy the new lender so everyone sees the request.
- Ask the new lender to confirm the case number is active in their system and the appraisal report is attached, then verify any outstanding conditions.
- If repairs are required, schedule contractors immediately and keep invoices and photos, because the reinspection step can be the longest delay during holidays.
When you treat the transfer like a tracked checklist item, you reduce rework and avoid the “we are waiting on them” loop that kills timelines.
What Holiday Funding Risks Can Cause a Dry Closing?
Holiday funding delays usually come from bank wire cutoffs and government recorder closures, not the loan documents themselves. If funds cannot move, you may sign but not receive keys until the next open day. Your bank’s schedule may differ, but the Federal Reserve publishes the baseline holiday framework on its observed holidays page.
Dry closings are not “failures,” but they can create real costs: extra storage days, moving reschedules, and utility timing issues. You reduce risk by signing earlier, funding earlier, and keeping every required document cleared before the wire window closes.
- Wire desks often have earlier cutoffs on shortened days, so a late signing can miss same-day funding even when all documents are complete.
- Recording offices may be closed or operating limited hours, which can delay official recording and the moment the seller releases keys.
- Fraud risk rises during busy periods, so verify wire instructions by phone using a trusted number, not an email thread alone.
- Schedule signing early in the day and ask the title company when funds must be received to disburse and record before the next closure.
- Confirm your cash-to-close source and transfer plan in advance, because moving money between accounts late can trigger documentation requests or bank holds.
- Plan for a dry closing contingency with your mover and utility setup, because keys are typically tied to funding and recording, not the act of signing.
If you must close in a tight holiday window, the highest-impact move is controlling funding timing, because funding drives recording and key release.
When Is It Too Late to Switch, and What Are Your Options After Funding?
After your loan funds, you cannot switch lenders on that purchase. Your next lever is a refinance later, such as a VA Interest Rate Reduction Refinance Loan, once you meet seasoning requirements and the refinance provides a real financial benefit. The VA summarizes IRRRL basics on its Interest Rate Reduction Refinance Loan page.
If you are unhappy with the current lender but you are still pre-funding, escalation can be the fastest path. Ask for a daily closing plan, identify which conditions are truly blocking clear-to-close, and hold everyone accountable for the next action. Switching lenders late only makes sense when the current lender cannot perform.
- If you are unhappy with your lender but still pre-funding, escalation with a documented daily status plan can be faster than restarting with a new lender.
- After funding, your lender cannot be swapped, but you can monitor rates and consider an IRRRL refinance later if it produces net tangible benefit.
- Seasoning and payment-history requirements can delay refinance eligibility, so keep your first payments on time and keep copies of your closing package.
- If you are within a few business days of closing, ask your current lender for a clear-to-close checklist with owners and due dates, then decide quickly.
- If you do switch, confirm the new lender has already reviewed your file, can accept the appraisal, and can issue disclosures without delay.
- After closing, track your payment due dates and retain your Loan Estimate and Closing Disclosure, because refinance or dispute conversations start with those documents.
In short, switch early when it improves the outcome, and escalate late when switching would break your closing date.
The bottom line
You can switch VA lenders during the holidays as long as you have not signed and the loan has not funded. The benefit stays with the Veteran borrower, but the timeline does not: a new lender must re-underwrite, re-disclose, and coordinate funding with fewer business days available. The safest execution plan is to compare Loan Estimates quickly, get a written closing calendar, and request case number and appraisal transfer in writing the same day. Assume the Closing Disclosure review period may restart and that wires and recording may not move on holidays. If you are inside the final stretch, escalation with your current lender can sometimes preserve the contract date faster than a full restart. Once the loan funds, switching is off the table and your next option is a future refinance, if it makes financial sense.
References Used
What Is the Fastest Way to Compare Two VA Loan Offers?
Compare Loan Estimates side by side, focusing on rate, lender fees, credits, and cash-to-close. Keep the loan type and lock window identical so the math is honest. During holiday weeks, a slightly higher rate can still win if it prevents a missed contract date and costly extensions. The CFPB explains how to read a Loan Estimate line by line.
Do not compare a “best case” quote to a “fully disclosed” estimate. A fair comparison uses the same purchase price, down payment, credit assumptions, and expected close date. If one lender is quoting a shorter lock or a different program structure, the numbers are not apples to apples.
- Compare the interest rate and whether it is locked, because a lower rate with higher fees may not reduce your payment meaningfully.
- Check lender fees and points separately from third-party costs, since title, taxes, and insurance often stay similar regardless of lender choice.
- Verify lender credits and any promised processing speed in writing, because holiday staffing can erase an advertised fast-close claim quickly.
- Request Loan Estimates from both lenders on the same day, using the same purchase price, loan type, and down payment so the totals are comparable.
- Compare cash to close, total lender fees, and the break-even point on credits or points, not just the headline interest rate.
- Ask each lender for a day-by-day plan to your contract closing date, including when appraisal transfer, underwriting, and Closing Disclosure issuance will occur.
If your goal is to switch lenders without losing your closing date, prioritize the lender who can prove execution capacity, not the lender who promises it.
How Does the Closing Disclosure Waiting Period Work Around Federal Holidays?
The Closing Disclosure must be received at least three business days before you can close. Federal holidays and Sundays are not counted in the waiting period. If you switch lenders late, the new lender may need to reissue a Closing Disclosure, which can shift your signing date even when everything else is ready. The timing rules are defined in 12 CFR 1026.19.
One common failure point is confusing signing with funding. You may be able to sign documents, but if the lender cannot fund and the deed cannot record, you may not receive keys on the day you expected. Holiday weeks amplify this risk because fewer business days exist to recover.
| Milestone | Example Day | Counts Toward the 3-Day Review? | What to Watch |
|---|---|---|---|
| Closing Disclosure received | Monday | No (start point) | Confirm the timestamp and delivery method, because the clock starts at receipt, not “sent.” |
| Business day 1 | Tuesday | Yes | Clear any last underwriting conditions, because unresolved items can force a corrected disclosure. |
| Business day 2 | Wednesday | Yes | Confirm title is ready to close and wire instructions are verified through a trusted channel. |
| Federal holiday | Thursday | No | Assume limited staffing, limited banking, and possible recorder closures depending on your county. |
| Business day 3 | Friday | Yes | Signing is typically eligible after the waiting period, but funding still depends on wire timing. |
- The clock starts when you receive the Closing Disclosure, not when it is merely sent, so confirm delivery method and timestamp.
- If your lender must issue a corrected Closing Disclosure due to key changes, your signing date can slide even if the file was otherwise ready.
- Holiday weeks also reduce title and notary availability, so plan your signing appointment early in the day and early in the week.
- As soon as the new lender issues the Closing Disclosure, count forward three business days while skipping Sundays and federal holidays to find the earliest signing.
- Schedule the final walkthrough and utility transfers after you confirm the funding and recording day, because signing alone does not always release keys.
- Avoid last-minute contract amendments that change credits or loan terms, because even small adjustments can require re-disclosure and new timing.
To keep the closing on the critical path, treat the Closing Disclosure as a calendar gate, and plan everything else around it.
How Do You Transfer a VA Case Number and Appraisal to a New Lender?
You start a transfer by giving the new lender your signed request to move the VA case number and appraisal. In most cases, the appraisal can be reassigned to the new lender, but conditions follow the file. The transfer mechanics and appraisal process are detailed in the VA lender guidance in VA Lender's Handbook Chapter 10.
Appraisal portability is helpful, but it is not a shortcut around repairs. If the appraiser called out health and safety items or required repairs, those items still must be cleared. The new lender also has to verify income, assets, and insurance again to satisfy underwriting requirements.
| Item | Usually Transferable? | What It Means for Your Timeline |
|---|---|---|
| VA case number | Yes | The case number ties your file to the property, so moving it quickly prevents the file from stalling between lenders. |
| VA appraisal report | Often | Portability can prevent re-ordering, but any repairs, reinspections, or valuation conditions still must be resolved. |
| Title work | Usually | Title can keep moving, but the title company needs updated lender instructions to prepare documents correctly. |
| Underwriting conditions | Partially | A new lender will restate conditions in their own checklist, especially for income and assets, which can add days. |
- Your written request should identify the property address, your name, and the new lender’s contact information so the old lender can release the file quickly.
- Appraisal portability saves time, but any required repairs, reinspections, or value conditions still must be cleared before the new lender can close.
- Expect the new lender to request fresh pay, asset, and insurance documents, because underwriting must confirm nothing material changed since initial approval.
- Email the current lender a signed authorization to transfer the VA case number and appraisal, and copy the new lender so everyone sees the request.
- Ask the new lender to confirm the case number is active in their system and the appraisal report is attached, then verify any outstanding conditions.
- If repairs are required, schedule contractors immediately and keep invoices and photos, because the reinspection step can be the longest delay during holidays.
When you treat the transfer like a tracked checklist item, you reduce rework and avoid the “we are waiting on them” loop that kills timelines.
What Holiday Funding Risks Can Cause a Dry Closing?
Holiday funding delays usually come from bank wire cutoffs and government recorder closures, not the loan documents themselves. If funds cannot move, you may sign but not receive keys until the next open day. Your bank’s schedule may differ, but the Federal Reserve publishes the baseline holiday framework on its observed holidays page.
Dry closings are not “failures,” but they can create real costs: extra storage days, moving reschedules, and utility timing issues. You reduce risk by signing earlier, funding earlier, and keeping every required document cleared before the wire window closes.
- Wire desks often have earlier cutoffs on shortened days, so a late signing can miss same-day funding even when all documents are complete.
- Recording offices may be closed or operating limited hours, which can delay official recording and the moment the seller releases keys.
- Fraud risk rises during busy periods, so verify wire instructions by phone using a trusted number, not an email thread alone.
- Schedule signing early in the day and ask the title company when funds must be received to disburse and record before the next closure.
- Confirm your cash-to-close source and transfer plan in advance, because moving money between accounts late can trigger documentation requests or bank holds.
- Plan for a dry closing contingency with your mover and utility setup, because keys are typically tied to funding and recording, not the act of signing.
If you must close in a tight holiday window, the highest-impact move is controlling funding timing, because funding drives recording and key release.
When Is It Too Late to Switch, and What Are Your Options After Funding?
After your loan funds, you cannot switch lenders on that purchase. Your next lever is a refinance later, such as a VA Interest Rate Reduction Refinance Loan, once you meet seasoning requirements and the refinance provides a real financial benefit. The VA summarizes IRRRL basics on its Interest Rate Reduction Refinance Loan page.
If you are unhappy with the current lender but you are still pre-funding, escalation can be the fastest path. Ask for a daily closing plan, identify which conditions are truly blocking clear-to-close, and hold everyone accountable for the next action. Switching lenders late only makes sense when the current lender cannot perform.
- If you are unhappy with your lender but still pre-funding, escalation with a documented daily status plan can be faster than restarting with a new lender.
- After funding, your lender cannot be swapped, but you can monitor rates and consider an IRRRL refinance later if it produces net tangible benefit.
- Seasoning and payment-history requirements can delay refinance eligibility, so keep your first payments on time and keep copies of your closing package.
- If you are within a few business days of closing, ask your current lender for a clear-to-close checklist with owners and due dates, then decide quickly.
- If you do switch, confirm the new lender has already reviewed your file, can accept the appraisal, and can issue disclosures without delay.
- After closing, track your payment due dates and retain your Loan Estimate and Closing Disclosure, because refinance or dispute conversations start with those documents.
In short, switch early when it improves the outcome, and escalate late when switching would break your closing date.
The bottom line
You can switch VA lenders during the holidays as long as you have not signed and the loan has not funded. The benefit stays with the Veteran borrower, but the timeline does not: a new lender must re-underwrite, re-disclose, and coordinate funding with fewer business days available. The safest execution plan is to compare Loan Estimates quickly, get a written closing calendar, and request case number and appraisal transfer in writing the same day. Assume the Closing Disclosure review period may restart and that wires and recording may not move on holidays. If you are inside the final stretch, escalation with your current lender can sometimes preserve the contract date faster than a full restart. Once the loan funds, switching is off the table and your next option is a future refinance, if it makes financial sense.
References Used
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Switching VA Lenders Hurt My Credit Score?
It can cause another mortgage inquiry, but scoring models often treat multiple mortgage pulls in a short shopping window as one event. The bigger risk is new debt or higher card balances that change approvals during underwriting.
Can I Keep My Rate Lock When I Switch Lenders?
Usually not. Rate locks are tied to the lender, the loan program, and the expected closing date. When you switch, you accept a new lock and new terms, so compare total costs, not rate alone.
Do I Need a New VA Appraisal After Switching Lenders?
Often no. VA appraisals are typically tied to the property and can be reassigned to the new lender. However, any required repairs or reinspections still must be completed, and an expired appraisal may require a new order.
Can I Switch Lenders After I Sign but Before Funding?
It depends on what you signed and whether the lender has already funded the loan. If the loan is not funded, a switch is possible, but you may lose time and may need new disclosures and underwriting.
Will My Seller Need to Approve the Lender Change?
Most contracts do not require seller permission to change lenders, but the seller can enforce the closing date. If the switch threatens the timeline, request a written extension early so your earnest money and contract terms stay protected.
How Fast Can a New VA Lender Close if the Appraisal Is Done?
Some lenders can close quickly if the appraisal is complete and title work is moving, but the new lender still must verify income, assets, and disclosures. During holidays, expect fewer staffed days and plan buffer time.
What Documents Should I Have Ready for a Holiday Lender Switch?
Keep your latest pay stubs or LES, two months of bank statements, your purchase contract, and current homeowners insurance quotes. If repairs are involved, keep invoices and photos so the new lender can clear conditions without delays.
Can Switching Lenders Change My Cash to Close?
Yes. Different lenders may structure credits, fees, and escrows differently, which changes how much cash you need at signing. Compare the Loan Estimate totals, confirm seller credits, and do not move money between accounts without documentation.
Should I Switch Lenders if I Am Already Clear to Close?
Only if there is a mission-critical problem, such as funding risk or major undisclosed fees. If you switch this late, you may restart the disclosure clock and lose your closing date. Ask for a written timeline before acting.
What If My Current Lender Won’t Release the Case Number or Appraisal?
Escalate in writing and copy your new lender, because clear documentation often speeds cooperation. If delays continue, ask the new lender to request guidance through VA appraisal channels. Add contract buffer so you are not forced into a rushed closing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Switching VA Lenders Hurt My Credit Score?
It can cause another mortgage inquiry, but scoring models often treat multiple mortgage pulls in a short shopping window as one event. The bigger risk is new debt or higher card balances that change approvals during underwriting.
Can I Keep My Rate Lock When I Switch Lenders?
Usually not. Rate locks are tied to the lender, the loan program, and the expected closing date. When you switch, you accept a new lock and new terms, so compare total costs, not rate alone.
Do I Need a New VA Appraisal After Switching Lenders?
Often no. VA appraisals are typically tied to the property and can be reassigned to the new lender. However, any required repairs or reinspections still must be completed, and an expired appraisal may require a new order.
Can I Switch Lenders After I Sign but Before Funding?
It depends on what you signed and whether the lender has already funded the loan. If the loan is not funded, a switch is possible, but you may lose time and may need new disclosures and underwriting.
Will My Seller Need to Approve the Lender Change?
Most contracts do not require seller permission to change lenders, but the seller can enforce the closing date. If the switch threatens the timeline, request a written extension early so your earnest money and contract terms stay protected.
How Fast Can a New VA Lender Close if the Appraisal Is Done?
Some lenders can close quickly if the appraisal is complete and title work is moving, but the new lender still must verify income, assets, and disclosures. During holidays, expect fewer staffed days and plan buffer time.
What Documents Should I Have Ready for a Holiday Lender Switch?
Keep your latest pay stubs or LES, two months of bank statements, your purchase contract, and current homeowners insurance quotes. If repairs are involved, keep invoices and photos so the new lender can clear conditions without delays.
Can Switching Lenders Change My Cash to Close?
Yes. Different lenders may structure credits, fees, and escrows differently, which changes how much cash you need at signing. Compare the Loan Estimate totals, confirm seller credits, and do not move money between accounts without documentation.
Should I Switch Lenders if I Am Already Clear to Close?
Only if there is a mission-critical problem, such as funding risk or major undisclosed fees. If you switch this late, you may restart the disclosure clock and lose your closing date. Ask for a written timeline before acting.
What If My Current Lender Won’t Release the Case Number or Appraisal?
Escalate in writing and copy your new lender, because clear documentation often speeds cooperation. If delays continue, ask the new lender to request guidance through VA appraisal channels. Add contract buffer so you are not forced into a rushed closing.
