Making the 7-day refi a reality: closing without waiting

The final stage of the consumer’s mortgage journey – planning and signing – is often the point where borrower frustration is greatest. In our digital world, few consumers expect unclear and inflexible processes regarding their appointment as a notary – or to be tied to personal paperwork. Yet this remains the norm for many lenders.

That discrepancy between what borrowers expect and what they experience at closing is more than just an inconvenience. When the process feels outdated or cumbersome, satisfaction decreases, pipelines slow down, and the risk of repercussions increases. Over time, that inefficiency comes at the expense of profitability.

Digitizing the closing process does more than just speed up timelines. It transforms the borrower experience into one that is intuitive, transparent and trust-inspiring, all of which has real benefits for lenders. A smoother closing builds trust, relieves pressure on internal teams and strengthens a lender’s ability to compete in a market where customer experience increasingly drives business performance.

What borrowers want and why lenders should deliver

Today’s borrowers want control. According to the ServiceLink Report on the State of Home Buying 2025, 76% of respondents said they would prioritize lenders who allow their appraisal or closing appointments to be scheduled digitally, but only 35% of lenders in the past four years were able to do so.

This highlights a clear opportunity for lenders to deliver a differentiated customer experience by integrating digital planning. Giving borrowers more visibility and choice in how and when they close creates a better overall impression of the lender, which can pay off in the form of referrals, retention and trust in the long term. It also helps lenders realize the operational benefits of faster cycle times without sacrificing service quality.

Digital closing, real results

Modern closing platforms now offer borrowers and lender teams the ability to view real-time availability of qualified signing agents, confirm appointments immediately and choose how they want to close, online, in person at home or at their lender’s local branch.

Borrowers predominantly opt for speed. ServiceLink’s data shows that nearly 100% of borrowers choose the first available closing date when given the opportunity to schedule their closing digitally, with rescheduling rates dropping dramatically. Meanwhile, lender teams gain process certainty: no more back-and-forth conversations or delays that push deals beyond fixed-rate periods.

Remote online notarization (RON) and in-person electronic notarization (IPEN) also help reduce post-closing document errors and financing delays. The result is a faster, cleaner closing and a better lending experience that lenders can get behind.

A strategic victory for lenders

Digitizing closures offers more than just convenience. It delivers measurable value for the entire organization:

• Increase borrower satisfaction. Consumers increasingly expect the kind of self-service experience they get elsewhere in their financial lives. By offering mobile scheduling, flexible signing options and transparent communication, lenders can meet and exceed these expectations.
• Reduce costs and improve margins. Faster signing, fewer errors and less time spent coordinating appointments mean lower operational overhead. By choosing a reliable, high-trust partner to consistently and sustainably close faster, lenders can also work with shorter interest rates to reduce hedging costs.
• Improve brand impact. Closing is one of the few moments of live interaction with borrowers. Digital notifications and streamlined communications keep borrowers informed, while white-label messaging reinforces your brand.
• Simplify implementation. Lenders don’t have to overhaul their systems to offer digital closings. With the right partner, digital signing tools can be integrated quickly and painlessly, often without major technical improvements or significant workflow changes.

Accelerating closings is a critical step toward achieving the seven-day refinance. For lenders, it’s also a smart move in a market that demands speed, convenience and excellent service.

Kiran Vattem is Chief Digital & Technology Officer at ServiceLink.
This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of HousingWire’s editorial staff and its owners. To contact the editor responsible for this piece: [email protected].

This is Part IV of our series on Making the 7-Day Refi a Reality: Why Now is the Time to Modernize the Mortgage Process.

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