Which condo review path is this file actually in?
That depends on the project structure, documented blockers, and which documentation is on hand. The honest answer is that the file might look like one path early on, but move to another path as facts get clearer. Knowing the actual path requires understanding the project status, unit type, occupancy, LTV, and any blockers — and having those facts clearly laid out together.
Why it's not always simple
Condo files don't always announce which path they're in upfront. Many files start in "provisional" processing under assumptions about project status or occupancy, then shift to the real path once facts are confirmed. Different loan purposes, agencies, and lender frameworks also classify the same project differently.
The bigger issue: even after a file is committed to a path, that path is sometimes the result of incomplete information. The file might have been routed correctly based on what was known at the time, but better information could change that routing.
What people usually miss
People look at one or two factors (unit count, project status) and assume they know the path. What usually gets missed:
- Occupancy type affects which paths are even available
- LTV bucket matters more than people realize
- Blocker facts (litigation, delinquency, unclear project structure) determine the path more than positive factors do
- Missing documentation forces a path to be heavier, not lighter
- The file might be in the right path for wrong reasons, making it fragile if facts change
- Location-based overlays or lender-specific rules can affect which path is available
The real problem: the file is "in" a path, but you might not actually understand why, which makes it hard to know whether it's stable or likely to change.
Example
A broker has a file she assumes is limited review based on established project and decent unit type. But she hasn't checked occupancy type, LTV, or confirmed the exact project status. When the file reaches the lender, the lender routes it to full review because occupancy is investor-owned and LTV is 78% — factors that eliminate limited review eligibility. The file was probably always a full-review candidate, but the broker didn't understand the actual path determination.
If this is a real file
The only way to know the actual path is to see all the facts together — project type, status, unit type, occupancy, LTV, blockers, and documentation — and understand how those facts combine to determine routing. If you're unsure what path your file is actually in or why, that's worth clarifying now before the file gets too deep.
If you want to quickly understand which path your specific file actually fits and what factors are determining that path, you can run a 60-second pre-screen.