Creating a payoff letter is essential to any loan or mortgage repayment process. Our free templates and this guide can help you get started.This article outlines the fivestep process of making your final loan payment. Step 1: Request a payoff quote. A payoff letter provides instructions on how to pay off a loan with a lump sum before the loan term ends. Learn how payoff letters work. Say you have a mortgage and want to know exactly how much you'd need to pay to satisfy the loan. A mortgage payoff letter will tell you that magic number. 1) Call the mortgage department and request an official principal payoff letter. A letter of explanation can clarify your financial situation and get you one step closer to qualifying for a mortgage.