Great question Richie Alan Naggar. My perspective as a Lender is as follows:

I think you would have quite a difficult time getting in touch directly with the Underwriter (whether you "insist" or not). Respectfully, that's one of the main reasons you align with a reputable Loan Officer who is both proficient with underwriting guidelines and accountable enough to be the proactive & communicative liaison between Underwriting and the interested parties of the escrow in question.

Remember, that Underwriter has significantly more data on the Borrower than a Real Estate Agent does (not to mention heightened knowledge of the specific approval guidelines). 

All of the loan officers that I work with are magicians, and that's why I use them, so I've never had to call the underwriter directly... I can count on my loan officers running interference on our behalf.

But when I've been on the seller's side... and the loan seems to be dragging, I've put pressure on the buyer's agent and asked them to chase it down.

Jason E. Gordon nailed it. If you have a knowlegeable loan officer, you never need to speak with the underwriter.  

😂 that's cute - insist? to talk? to an underwriter?!? 🤣😂🤣😂

Let's ask Jason E. Gordon how that usually goes.

We found out about the underhanded actions of a buyer's agent AND their loan officer FROM the UW recently! They concealed that the buyer could not qualify, breaking AZ law. Feet were held to fire on that one!
Having said that, it is not common to have direct contact with the UW and it's usually not necessary if the loan pro is on it. Like I said, our problem was the lender and agent. The UW called US TO read us in . . . also disclosed that the cocky asshole lender was getting complaints left and right. 

I have never thought of being allowed to speak with the UW, but there have been some situations where I wished I could have, haha.

I do not try to influence the process.  Patience is a virtue.  

My preferred Loan Officers usually handle the underwriters. With that being said I'm happy I have not call underwriting. 

I don't remember it happening as a Realtor Richie Alan Naggar but I do as a Life Insurance agent.

Underwriters lie in the "seen & not heard" category...  Luckily, I have great relationships w/ the lender reps (unless a buyer chooses someone I don't typically collaborate with) who help keep it all smooth.  

No, I have not.

I don't think that I have ever spoken to an underwriter. The lender needs to manage the situation. What Jason E. Gordon said.

No, but in the olden days the wife of one of my friends was an underwriter for a major lender and once or twice pinged the colleague who had the loan for me to get an update.  Those were the good days.

But beyond that, no.

No, that process is dealt with by the loan officer who is 100% successful in getting things moving. That is among the many advantages of working with a mortgage lender who has in house underwriters! 

Richie Alan Naggar 

I do recall speaking to an underwriter once. So far the loan officers have been top notch, so no need. 

I have not.

I have never needed to talk to them but one time and I couldn't as it was a national lender that I begged them not to use.

The underwriter is often just the "technician" following the institution's guidelines e.g. ratios, etc. They would not be persuaded by an agent's pleas to change the outcome. Timing issues should be resolved by the mortgage contacts, it is up to them to keep things moving along in a timely manner. 

No, my lenders are top notch and don't ever drop the ball. I don't ever have to go to anyone but them. 

That said, when working as the sellers' agent, I will follow up with the lender and if they are unresponsive, I will offer one of MY lenders to the buyers' agent! I've been quite convincing and gotten them to jump ship with a non-responsive loan officer.

This often happens when a buyer goes rogue with an online lender...who drops the ball!