Understanding the Mortgage Pre-Approval Process & What You Need to Know
Understanding the Mortgage Pre-Approval Process & What You Should Know
The home loan preapproval process involves an exhaustive review of your credit history, income and assets. It also includes a hard credit pull to confirm provided data. It’s essential that this step be completed prior to beginning house hunting so you can shop with peace of mind.
Pre-approval can help you make an offer on a home you really want, while guaranteeing there are no unexpected issues later. It also shows sellers that you’re serious about purchasing their property and won’t be denied a mortgage due to financial troubles.
Does Mortgage Pre-Approval Guarantee Me a Home?
A mortgage pre-approval letter is proof that you are serious about purchasing their property. It also shows the seller you have your budget in order and don’t need to compromise on price range expectations.
Mortgage pre-approval differs from pre-qualification in that it takes into account your financial history. This more involved and comprehensive process may take anywhere from a few days to several weeks for some applicants.
If your credit score is good, the pre-approval process should be straightforward and painless. On the contrary, if your credit history is less than stellar, it could take longer. Be prepared to provide all required documents so your lender can complete the pre-approval quickly and painlessly.
Once approved, your lender will issue you a mortgage pre-approval letter outlining how much money they are willing to lend you for a mortgage. It also includes an interest rate they are offering you and an affordable monthly payment amount.
Most lenders will lock in your mortgage interest rate for 90-120 days, allowing you to monitor any rate drops during that time. Therefore, it’s wise to shop around mortgage lenders during this period and compare their interest rates.
Can I Get a Mortgage Pre-Approval If My Credit Is Poor?
A mortgage pre-approval can be granted for an amount up to the lender’s requirements, provided you meet other necessary conditions. You have two options: apply online or speak with a loan officer at your local bank or credit union.
Before searching for a home, ask your lender to send you a mortgage pre-approval letter. This will give you an accurate estimate of how much you can spend on a new house and give you an advantage in your search.
The Mortgage Loan Approval Process
Once you’ve been preapproved by your lender, the next step in the process is to apply for a home loan with them. As part of that application, you’ll need to fill out form 1003 (also known as “ten-oh-three”) which contains personal and financial data.
Lenders will review your income, assets, debts and credit record to assess if you meet the qualifications for a mortgage and how much they’re willing to lend you. They may use something called the “28/36” qualifying ratio which calculates how much you can afford to borrow by dividing monthly mortgage payments (including principal and interest) by gross monthly income.