Mary is analyzing a loan application after the Shores completed the paperwork. What is her role in this process?

Mary's role in analyzing a loan application aligns with the responsibilities of an underwriter. Underwriters are responsible for evaluating the risk of lending money to a borrower by reviewing their financial information and creditworthiness. This process includes examining the applicant’s income, debt-to-income ratio, credit score, and overall financial health to determine whether to approve or deny the loan.

In this context, her focus would be on ensuring that the loan meets the lender's criteria and that the borrower has the ability to repay it. By thoroughly assessing these aspects, an underwriter helps protect the lender's financial interests while also facilitating a responsible lending process.

The other roles mentioned involve different responsibilities: a loan officer typically engages with the borrower to facilitate the loan application process, a realtor assists buyers and sellers in real estate transactions, and an appraiser assesses the property's market value. Therefore, Mary’s responsibilities clearly align with those of an underwriter in the loan approval process.