FAQ
Got questions about TheRuleTool? Here's everything you need to know.
What loan officers, branch managers, and underwriting teams ask before they get started.
About the product
What is TheRuleTool?
TheRuleTool is an AI-powered mortgage guideline search engine. Instead of manually digging through hundreds of pages of Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, FHA, VA, USDA, or Non-QM PDFs, you ask your question in plain English and get the exact answer, cited to the source document, in seconds.
How does TheRuleTool's AI search work?
Our AI engine, Augie AI, continuously reads and updates itself against official agency guidelines and top investor overlays. When you ask a question, TheRuleTool identifies the exact guideline that applies to your scenario and shows you the answer alongside the source document, so you can verify it yourself.
Does TheRuleTool replace manual underwriting?
No. TheRuleTool is a research tool that speeds up guideline lookups — the underwriting decision is still made by your team or your AUS. What we remove is the wasted time spent searching hundred-page manuals.
Which agencies and investors does it cover?
Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, FHA, VA, USDA, and Non-QM guidelines from major investors, plus lender-specific overlays.
Does TheRuleTool cover Non-QM loans?
Yes. With the V2 release, TheRuleTool now includes full Non-QM guideline support, including DSCR, bank statement loans, asset depletion, and more.
Fast setup — start the same day
How long does it take to get started?
Most users are up and running the same day they sign up. There’s no lengthy implementation — you get access, log in, and start searching guidelines within minutes, not days.
Do I need IT support to set up TheRuleTool?
No. TheRuleTool doesn’t require an IT project or a multi-week rollout. Setup is self-serve: create your account and you’re searching guidelines the same day — no technical onboarding required.
Can my whole team start the same day we sign up?
Yes. Once your company account is set up, every loan officer on your team can be added and searching guidelines immediately — there’s no waiting period between purchase and active use.
Why is TheRuleTool faster to implement than others?
Because TheRuleTool is built to work the moment you log in — no data migration, no lengthy training, no IT ticket. Compare that to legacy guideline platforms that can take days to fully configure.
Integrations and PPE
Does TheRuleTool integrate with my PPE?
Yes — TheRuleTool integrates with Optimal Blue and Polly, so you can validate guidelines directly inside your pricing engine workflow without switching screens.
Does TheRuleTool work with Optimal Blue?
Yes. TheRuleTool connects directly to Optimal Blue, so you can check agency and Non-QM guidelines while you’re already pricing a loan.
Does TheRuleTool work with Polly?
Yes. The same guideline search you use standalone is available inside your Polly PPE workflow, so pricing and guideline validation happen in one place.
Do I need a separate login for the PPE integration?
No. Once TheRuleTool is connected to your Optimal Blue or Polly account, guideline search appears directly inside your existing PPE session — no second login, no extra tab.
Does TheRuleTool work inside LoanMAPS?
Yes. If you use LoanMAPS as your LOS, TheRuleTool is available directly inside the platform to resolve guideline questions without leaving your workflow.
Can it integrate with other LOS/PPE platforms?
We’re continually adding integrations based on customer demand. If your PPE or LOS isn’t listed yet, contact our team to discuss your setup.
How current are the guidelines?
Our team and our AI continuously monitor guideline changes. When an agency or investor updates a guideline, TheRuleTool updates with it — you’re never working off a PDF downloaded months ago.
Does TheRuleTool work on mobile?
Yes, you can search guidelines from any device, anytime — ideal for when you’re with a client or out of the office.
For loan officers
How does it help me answer client questions faster?
Instead of putting a client on hold to dig through a manual, you type the question into TheRuleTool and get a cited answer in seconds — so you can respond while you still have them on the phone.
Can I use it during a live call with a borrower?
Yes. TheRuleTool is built for real-time use — fast enough to check a guideline mid-conversation without losing the moment with your client.
Will TheRuleTool help me close more Non-QM loans?
Non-QM scenarios are often where loan officers lose deals to slow answers or uncertainty. TheRuleTool gives you investor-specific Non-QM guidelines instantly, so you can confidently tell a borrower whether they qualify.
For branch managers & companies
Can it standardize answers across my whole team?
Yes. Every loan officer on your team searches the same up-to-date source, which reduces the risk of inconsistent or outdated answers going out to borrowers.
Does it reduce underwriting errors from overlays?
By surfacing the exact investor overlay alongside the agency guideline, TheRuleTool reduces the chance of a loan officer or underwriter applying the wrong limit.
Can I see how my team is using TheRuleTool?
Company plans include visibility into team usage, so branch managers can see adoption and identify where additional training may help.
For underwriting teams
Does it cite the exact source for every answer?
Yes. Every response includes a citation back to the official guideline document, so underwriters can verify the answer against the source in seconds.
Can underwriters rely on it during file review?
TheRuleTool is designed as a research tool to speed up guideline lookups during file review — the final underwriting decision always stays with your underwriter or AUS.
Pricing, free trial & demos
How much does TheRuleTool cost?
We offer plans for individual loan officers and plans for companies/teams. See current pricing on our pricing page.
Is there a free trial?
Yes — TheRuleTool offers a 30-day free trial so you can test real guideline scenarios before committing to a plan.
What happens after my 30-day trial ends?
You can choose the plan that fits you — individual or company — and keep all the guideline search habits your team has already built.
Can I upgrade from individual to a company plan?
Yes, anytime. Reach out to our team and we’ll migrate your account without losing your search history.
How do I get a demo for my team?
Book a demo and we’ll walk your team through TheRuleTool using your own guideline scenarios — the fastest way to see if it fits how your team already works.
Simple Pricing
Built for Every Mortgage Professional
For Individuals
Loan Officer
Perfect for individual loan officers seeking streamlined tools
$20 / month
- AI-powered search
- Easy access to agency guidelines
- AI Text Feature
- Updated daily for accuracy
For Companies
Company / Lender
Ideal for lending offices needing advanced features and support
Based on company size, call for a quote
- All features in Loan Officers Plan
- Agency guidelines + investor overlays
- Jumbo/Non-Conforming guides and Outlier tool
- Integrated with Polly Pricing and Product Engine
- Multiple user accounts
Still have a question?
Let our team show you exactly how fast your team can be up and running.
