Purchase a Home
Buying a home is the biggest financial decision most of us will ever make.
So it is easy to see why having clear and concise information is crucial to ensuring a successful outcome and a low stress experience.
Typically, the first step in the process of purchasing a home is to secure one of two things from a mortgage lender: a home loan pre-qualification or a home loan pre-approval. These are distinct processes, so it is important to understand the difference.
A home loan pre-qualification, acts as a dry run of the loan application process. A lender's mortgage loan originator can typically pre-qualify you for a home loan in less than an hour. To establish a home loan pre-qualification, you will need to complete a mortgage application and authorize a credit report. You should also provide your mortgage loan originator with as much income documentation as possible. A review of the mortgage application, your credit, and your income documentation, will determine if you are pre-qualified for a home loan. Your mortgage loan originator will then be able to tell you:
- The home loan amount you qualify for
- The types of home loans you qualify for (i.e. fixed, variable, FHA, VA)
- The sales price on a home you can qualify for
- The current rate and fees for the selected home loans
A home loan pre-approval takes a home loan pre-qualification one step further. Your mortgage loan originator will compile the information gathered from your credit report and asset/income statements to secure a valid home loan pre-approval. When you become pre-approved you will receive a letter stating that your home loan is pre-approved. A valid home loan pre-approval is the best tool you can have when shopping for a new home. The key is to ensure that your home loan pre-approval is valid. A home loan pre-approval that is valid, has been underwritten by an authorized underwriter or an automated approval system. With a valid home loan pre-approval in hand, all you have to do is find the home you want, have it appraised, and then close your loan.
For more information on the home loan pre-approval process, click here.
