Quick! How much home can you afford to buy? The answer might seem simple, but it isn’t! Columbus home buyers need to understand the difference between a mortgage pre-approval, and a mortgage pre-qualification.
A mortgage pre-qualification is an informal estimate of your home buying power, based on unverified information you give to the lender. Lenders sometimes market “instant pre-qualification” to buyers, in the hopes of attracting new business. At best, a pre-qualification can give you a frame of reference for your potential home buying power. There is no commitment by the lender to actually loan you money in any amount.
A mortgage pre-approval takes you through a full application and underwriting process. In this situation, all of your employment, financial and credit information will be verified. You’ll need to provide copies of your last 2 years of income tax returns, plus 2 months of bank statements, a month’s worth of pay stubs, and authorize a review of your credit report.
Due to automated underwriting, the pre-approval process doesn’t take is long as it once did. Depending on the lender and the type of mortgage you seek, you might have an answer in a matter of weeks, days, hours – or even minutes. The reply you receive will be one of the following:
- Approved
- Approved with conditions
- Suspended (more info/documentation/verification required)
- Denied (reasons for denial will be provided by lender)
While no one wants to receive a mortgage “pre-denial,” it’s far better to discover an issue with financing before you make an offer on a home! It gives you the opportunity resolve issues – and reapply – before you have a home on the line.
If you’ve done your homework, such as reading our free e-book, “How to Buy a Home like a Pro,” you will likely have performed some financial preparation prior to your mortgage application. Things like a steady employment history, consistent income, good credit, good savings habits, and modest debt levels will help your chances of approval.
Once you have a mortgage pre-approval in hand, you can browse homes for sale in the appropriate price range. You can submit a confident offer when you find the right property.
Home buyers who write offers with a mortgage approval contingency, without showing any reasonable proof of financing ability, are not taken too seriously by home sellers.
When you are ready to begin your mortgage pre-approval, we can help! We will refer you to local, highly reputable mortgage lenders in Central Ohio, who will explain your financing options. When you become our Buyer-Client, we can also help you evaluate the mortgage offers you receive!
As your Exclusive Buyer’s Broker, we serve your best interests at all times! Unlike real estate agents and brokerages who represent sellers, as an Exclusive Buyer’s Broker, we only represent you, the buyer, getting you the best price and terms with no conflict of interest at all times.
Understanding this distinction could literally save you thousands of dollars not only on the purchase price and terms, but also on seller concessions and home inspection issues, whether you are a first-time homebuyer or an experienced homeowner!
Contact us with your home buying questions! Remember, we are with you every step of the way…all the way home!
Andrew Show
Exclusive Buyer’s Broker, CEBA-M, MCNE, CSP, PSA,e-PRO, CREM, ABRM, AHWD
Buyer’s Resource Realty Services, www.buyershome.com
Serving Metro Columbus, Ohio with Exclusive Buyer’s Agents
7100 North High Street, Suite 204, Worthington, Ohio 43085
614-888-4110 | 888-888-4110 Toll Free | 614-839-4110 Fax
