Desktop Originator (DO) Access is a web-based system provided by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) to assist approved mortgage lenders and brokers in efficiently processing FHA loan applications. It serves as the interface for lenders to submit borrower information electronically and to use the TOTAL Mortgage Scorecard (Technology Open to Approved Lenders), an automated underwriting system (AUS) that evaluates a borrower’s creditworthiness and eligibility against FHA lending guidelines.
How Does Desktop Originator (DO) Access Work?
The system operates by collecting comprehensive borrower data — including income, assets, debts, credit history, and property details — which is entered by the loan originator. This information is then processed through the TOTAL Mortgage Scorecard algorithm, which assesses loan risk factors like credit scores, debt-to-income ratios, and payment history.
The system quickly generates one of four key outcomes:
- Approve/Eligible: The borrower meets FHA criteria and the loan can proceed with minimal manual review.
- Refer: Requires manual underwriting because the automated system found irregularities or non-standard factors.
- Refer/Eligible: Manual review needed, but borrower may still qualify.
- Refer/Ineligible: The loan does not meet FHA standards and is likely to be denied.
If the decision is “Refer” related, a human underwriter reviews the application to verify documentation and make the final approval decision.
Who Uses Desktop Originator (DO) Access?
- Mortgage Loan Originators (MLOs): Benefit from quicker pre-qualification and streamlined FHA loan application management.
- Lenders: Standardize processing, reduce errors, ensure compliance, and better manage risk.
- Borrowers: Gain faster pre-approval responses, which is critical in competitive markets.
Key Benefits
- Speeds Up Loan Processing: Automates the initial evaluation stages.
- Improves Accuracy and Consistency: Applies uniform FHA guidelines.
- Supports Compliance: Helps lenders adhere to HUD and FHA rules.
- Reduces Paperwork: Enables electronic submission of loan data.
Important Considerations
- DO Access does not grant final loan approval — human underwriters and lenders complete verification and final decisions.
- It evaluates more than just credit scores, considering a broad financial profile.
- A “Refer” status isn’t a denial; manual underwriting often resolves these cases.
For more details about the FHA loan program, see our FHA Loan glossary. To understand more about automated underwriting, visit our Automated Underwriting System (AUS) guide.
Official Resources:
- TOTAL Mortgage Scorecard: hud.gov TOTAL
- FHA Mortgagee Letters: hud.gov Mortgagee Letters
For borrowers and lenders seeking FHA-insured loans, Desktop Originator (DO) Access remains a vital tool to make the application and underwriting process faster, more accurate, and compliant with federal standards.