{"id":982,"date":"2022-03-18T12:00:02","date_gmt":"2022-03-18T17:00:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.realtyhop.com\/mortgage-center\/?p=982"},"modified":"2023-07-22T13:37:15","modified_gmt":"2023-07-22T17:37:15","slug":"mortgage-pre-approval","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.realtyhop.com\/mortgage-center\/mortgage-pre-approval\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Get Pre-Approved for a Mortgage"},"content":{"rendered":"
If you are like millions of Americans, buying a home will most likely be one of the most significant financial decisions you\u2019ll make in your life. And getting pre-approved by a lender is one of the many ways to make your home buying journey easier and faster.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n In this article, you will learn:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n To be pre-approved for a mortgage means that a lender or bank has evaluated your finances, employment, debt, and credit history to determine that you are an eligible candidate for a loan.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Getting pre-approved proves to sellers and real estate agents that you have the financial ability to afford a home. By showing a lender is willing to lend you money, you show that you\u2019re serious about buying. Remember, however, that getting pre-approved for a mortgage is not a promise that you\u2019ll get a loan or the stated loan amount in the pre-approval letter.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n While the two might sound similar, they, in fact, mean very different things when it comes to the mortgage process. There are several differences between getting pre-approved for a mortgage and being pre-qualified for one. The major difference between these two terms is the depth of the lenders\u2019 investigation.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n To get pre-qualified, you\u2019ll need to submit your income, debt, and other financial details to your lender, and your lender gives you a rough estimate without questioning your number. It is common to hear statements like, \u201cBased on your submitted details, you may be eligible for XYZ amount.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n On the other hand, a mortgage pre-approval involves a more thorough investigation of your finances by a lender. When getting pre-approved for a mortgage, your lender will make a personal inquiry of your finances, pull your credit history, and verify your income before presenting you with a pre-approval letter.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Arming yourself with the correct information and paperwork can make your pre-approval process a breeze. Remember that a mortgage pre-approval process is simply a mortgage application. This means that your lender will want to evaluate your documents closely. Here is how to get pre-approved for a mortgage in four steps, even as a first-time homebuyer.<\/span><\/p>\n Your credit score<\/a> plays a huge role in getting pre-approved for a mortgage. Make sure you get a copy of your credit score before starting the process. Most lenders will inquire about your FICO score, usually a combined credit report from the major credit bureaus.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Depending on the type of loan, your lender may request a credit score of 620 or higher for conventional loans<\/a> and a credit score of 520 and above for government-backed mortgages like the FHA loans<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n When applying for a mortgage pre-approval, you\u2019ll need to provide your lender with proof of your income and assets. Typically, you will have to present your lender with a copy of your W-2 wage statement for the last two years, pay stubs, and other additional income sources like alimony, child support, and dividends.<\/span><\/p>\n Your lender may also request to see your tax returns for the last two years, cash reserves, retirement account statement, and other investment information. These details prove to your lender that you are financially capable of footing the downpayment and closing costs.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n From your lender\u2019s perspective, stable employment is key to your financial health. Your lender may request that you provide verification of employment (VOE) letter from your employer. Others may put a call through to your employer after evaluating your employment-related documents.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Finally, your lender will ask for additional personal documents like a copy of your drivers\u2019 license, Social Security Number (SSN), and legal signature to access your credit report. If you are an existing homeowner, you may have to present your current property tax bill.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n More importantly, if you run a personal business or are self-employed, be ready to submit a profit or loss statement for the last two years.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n As long as your finances, credit score, and paperwork are in order, you should be able to get your pre-approval letter within one to seven business days, on average. However, if you need to wait for an income audit or employment verification, it can take a little longer. But generally speaking, it shouldn\u2019t take more than two weeks. The only way to avoid delays when getting pre-approved for a mortgage is to fix your finance, credit history, and debts before applying.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\n
<\/p>\nWhat It Means to Be \u2018Pre-Approved\u2019 for a Mortgage<\/span><\/h2>\n
Is A Mortgage Pre-Approval the Same as Pre-Qualification?<\/span><\/h2>\n
How To Get Pre-Approved for A Mortgage?<\/span><\/h2>\n
1. Check Your Credit Score<\/span><\/h3>\n
2. Provide Proof of Income and Assets<\/span><\/h3>\n
3. Secure Employment Verification<\/span><\/h3>\n
4. Submit Other Personal Documents<\/span><\/h3>\n
How Long Does It Take to Get Pre-Approved?<\/span><\/h2>\n
How Long Does a Mortgage Pre-Approval Last?<\/span><\/h2>\n