What Is Intent to Proceed?
Intent to Proceed: Your confirmation, after receiving a Loan Estimate, that you want the lender to move ahead.
Intent to proceed is your confirmation to a lender, after you've received the Loan Estimate, that you want to go forward with the loan.
Why it matters
Until you give intent to proceed, a lender can't charge you fees other than a reasonable credit report fee. After you do, the lender can collect fees like the appraisal and order it.
How you give it
Any way that shows your intent: an e-signature, an email or a phone call the lender documents. Signing the Loan Estimate itself isn't required.
Good to know
You can get Loan Estimates from several lenders and only give intent to proceed to the one you choose.