How to Get Pre-approved for a Mortgage: A Complete Guide

Pre-approved for a Mortgage – How to Get Preapproved for a Mortgage Getting preapproved for a mortgage is one of the best ways to show sellers that you are a serious and qualified buyer. It can also give you an edge over other buyers who may not have a preapproval letter in hand. But what exactly is a mortgage preapproval and how do you get one? In this article, we will explain everything you need to know about the mortgage preapproval process, including:

What is a mortgage preapproval and why is it important?
What are the benefits of getting pre-approved for a mortgage?
What documents and information do you need to get pre-approved for a mortgage?
How to find a lender and apply for a mortgage preapproval?
How long does it take to get preapproved for a mortgage and how long does it last?
What are the common mistakes to avoid when getting preapproved for a mortgage?

What is a mortgage pre-approval and why is it important?

A mortgage preapproval is a conditional commitment from a lender that they are willing to lend you a certain amount of money to buy a home, based on your credit history, income, assets, debts, and other factors. A mortgage preapproval is not a guarantee that you will get the loan, but it shows that you have passed the initial screening and have a good chance of getting approved.

A mortgage preapproval is important because it can help you:

Narrow down your home search by knowing how much you can afford to spend on a home
Save time and avoid disappointment by only looking at homes that fit your budget
Strengthen your offer and negotiation power by showing sellers that you are ready and able to buy
Speed up the closing process by having most of the paperwork done in advance

What are the benefits of getting pre-approved for a mortgage?

Getting pre-approved for a mortgage can offer you several benefits, such as:

Giving you confidence and clarity about your home-buying budget
Helping you stand out from other buyers who may not have a preapproval letter
Increasing your chances of getting your offer accepted by sellers who prefer preapproved buyers
Reducing the risk of losing out on your dream home to another buyer who has a preapproval letter
Saving you money by locking in a lower interest rate if rates rise before you close on your loan
Simplifying the final approval process by having most of the documentation ready

What documents and information do you need to get pre-approved for a mortgage?

To get pre-approved for a mortgage, you need to show proof of your income, assets, debts, and credit history. This usually involves providing pay stubs from at least the past 30 days, tax returns and W-2 statements from the past two years, bank, retirement, and investment account statements from the past 60 days, and a list of your monthly debt payments. You also need to verify your employment and identity.

Depending on the type of loan you are applying for, you may also need to provide additional documents, such as:

Proof of down payment and closing costs
Gift letter if you are receiving money from family or friends
Divorce decree or separation agreement if applicable
Bankruptcy or foreclosure documents if applicable

Your lender will review your documents and information and check your credit score to determine your eligibility and loan amount. They will also consider other factors, such as your debt-to-income ratio (DTI), which is the percentage of your monthly income that goes toward paying your debts, and your loan-to-value ratio (LTV), which is the percentage of the home’s value that you are borrowing.

How to find a lender and apply for a mortgage pre-approval?

To find a lender and apply for a mortgage preapproval, you can follow these steps:

Compare different lenders and their loan products. You can use online tools such as Zillow or Bankrate to compare interest rates, fees, terms, and customer reviews of various lenders. You can also ask for recommendations from friends, family, or real estate agents who have worked with lenders before.
Choose a lender that suits your needs and preferences. You may want to consider factors such as the lender’s reputation, responsiveness, availability, communication style, and loan options. You may also want to check if the lender is licensed and accredited by organizations such as the Better Business Bureau or the National Association of Mortgage Brokers.
Contact the lender and request a preapproval application. You can either apply online or over the phone with most lenders. Some lenders may also offer in-person or video consultations. You will need to provide some basic information about yourself, such as your name, address, phone number, email, social security number, and income.
Submit the required documents and information. You will need to send the lender copies of your documents and information, either electronically or by mail. The lender may also ask you to sign some forms and disclosures, such as the loan estimate, which is a document that shows the estimated costs and terms of the loan.
Wait for the lender’s decision. The lender will review your application and documents and run a credit check to determine your eligibility and loan amount. This process can take anywhere from a few minutes to a few days, depending on the lender and the complexity of your situation. The lender will then issue you a preapproval letter, which is a document that states the loan amount, interest rate, and expiration date of the preapproval.

How long does it take to get pre-approved for a mortgage and how long does it last?

The time it takes to get preapproved for a mortgage can vary depending on the lender and your circumstances. Some lenders may be able to pre-approve you in as little as 15 minutes, while others may take up to a week or more. Factors that can affect the speed of the preapproval process include:

The completeness and accuracy of your application and documents
The availability and responsiveness of the lender and yourself
The volume and complexity of other applications that the lender is processing
The type and size of the loan that you are applying for

A mortgage preapproval typically lasts for 60 to 90 days, depending on the lender and the market conditions. However, a preapproval is not a guarantee that you will get the loan, as the final approval is subject to a full underwriting process, which involves verifying your income, assets, debts, credit, employment, and property value. Therefore, you should not make any major changes to your financial situation or credit profile after getting preapproved, as this could affect your eligibility or loan terms.

What are the common mistakes to avoid when getting preapproved for a mortgage?

Getting pre-approved for a mortgage can be a smooth and easy process if you avoid some common mistakes, such as:

Applying for multiple preapprovals from different lenders at the same time. This can lower your credit score by generating multiple hard inquiries on your credit report. Instead, you should shop around for lenders and compare their loan products before applying for a preapproval from one or two lenders that you like.
Assuming that you are guaranteed to get the loan or the same terms as stated in the preapproval letter. A preapproval is not a final approval or a contract, but rather an indication of your eligibility and loan amount. The final approval is subject to a full underwriting process, which may reveal new information or issues that could affect your qualification or loan terms.
Making big purchases or applying for new credit after getting preapproved. This can increase your debt-to-income ratio or lower your credit score, which could jeopardize your final approval or loan terms. You should avoid making any major financial decisions or changes until you close on your loan.
Waiting too long to use your preapproval letter. A pre-approval letter has an expiration date, usually 60 to 90 days from the date of issue. If you don’t find a home and make an offer within that time frame, you may need to reapply for a new preapproval letter, which could involve providing updated documents and information and undergoing another credit check.

In conclusion, getting preapproved for a mortgage is an important step in the home-buying process. It can help you determine how much you can afford to spend on a home, show sellers that you are a serious and qualified buyer, and speed up the closing process by having most of the paperwork done in advance.

To get pre-approved for a mortgage, you need to find a lender that suits your needs and preferences, provide proof of your income, assets, debts, and credit history, and wait for the lender’s decision. A mortgage preapproval typically lasts for 60 to 90 days, but it is not a guarantee that you will get the loan or the same terms as stated in the preapproval letter.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ): How to Get Preapproved for a Mortgage: A Complete Guide

What is the difference between preapproval and prequalification? Preapproval and prequalification are two terms that are often used interchangeably, but they have different meanings and implications. Prequalification is a preliminary assessment of your financial situation and creditworthiness, based on self-reported information. It gives you an estimate of how much you may be able to borrow, but it does not guarantee that you will get the loan or the same terms as stated in the prequalification letter. Preapproval is a more formal and in-depth process, where the lender verifies your income, assets, debts, and credit history, and issues you a conditional commitment to lend you a specific amount of money at a certain interest rate. A preapproval letter shows that you have passed the initial screening and have a good chance of getting approved for the loan, as long as the property meets the lender’s requirements and nothing changes in your financial situation.
How much does it cost to get preapproved for a mortgage? Getting pre-approved for a mortgage usually does not cost you anything upfront, as most lenders do not charge an application fee for this service. However, some lenders may charge you for the credit check that they perform as part of the preapproval process. This fee can range from $15 to $50 per credit report. You may also incur other costs later on, such as appraisal fees, origination fees, or closing costs, once you finalize your loan application.

What should I do after getting preapproved for a mortgage? After getting preapproved for a mortgage, you should start looking for your dream home within your budget and timeframe. You should also keep in touch with your lender and update them on any changes in your financial situation or credit profile. You should also avoid making any major purchases or applying for new credit after getting preapproved, as this could affect your eligibility or loan terms. Once you find a home that you like and make an offer, you should submit your preapproval letter along with your offer to show the seller that you are ready and able to buy. You should also be prepared to complete the final approval process by providing any additional documents or information that the lender may request.