Which of the following would typically be collected prior to submitting a loan application?

The correct answer is the credit report fee. Before a loan application can be submitted, lenders typically require a credit report to assess the applicant's creditworthiness. This report is essential for evaluating the risk of lending and determining the appropriate terms for the loan. Therefore, collecting the fee for the credit report is a standard practice that occurs early in the loan process, often even before the formal application is submitted.

While down payment evidence, employment verification, and a closing cost estimate are critical components of the loan process, they are typically gathered after the initial submission of the loan application. Down payment evidence is usually verified as part of the underwriting process, employment verification is completed once the application is submitted, and closing costs are estimated later in the process, often discussed during or after the underwriting phase. Thus, the credit report fee stands out as being an upfront requirement before formally applying for a loan.