Economists outline how to avoid another meltdownCentre Daily Times, PA -1 hour agoToday's nationwide housing crisis began with bad adjustable-rate home loans made in 2005 and 2006 to borrowers with weak credit histories. ... Online mortgage applications are quick. An online application form takes about four minutes of your time filling it up. Approval can then be given within 24 hours. This is a far cry from the several business days it usually takes for traditional mortgage applications to be approved. In this regard, online mortgages are less time-consuming and even initially paper-free.