Why Pre-Approval Is a Game Changer for Homebuyers

Abstract

If you're planning to buy a home this year, you might have heard that pre-approval is a necessary step to take before starting out on your journey. To better understand why, it's important to know what pre-approval is. Freddie Mac defines the process like this: "A pre-approval is an indication from your lender that they are willing to lend you a certain amount of money to buy your future home. The lender you work with will provide you with a pre-approval letter, which is an official document that states the maximum amount they are willing to lend you, ..." Put simply, pre-approval from a lender helps you understand your true price range and how much money you can borrow for your loan. Since you'll know what you're approved for, it'll also help once it's time to submit an offer on the home of your dreams. Another added benefit is that pre-approval lets the seller know you're qualified to buy their house. Paul Centopani, Editor for the Mortgage Reports, explains: "... most sellers won't even consider an offer unless the buyer is pre-approved at the right price point. Sellers and their agents want to know you're ready and able to finance your offer amount. So you'll want to have your preapproval teed up as soon as you're serious about bidding on a home you like." Every advantage you can gain as a buyer is crucial in a market that's constantly changing. Bottom Line Getting pre-approved for a mortgage helps you better understand what you can borrow and shows sellers you're serious about purchasing their home.