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The Difference Between Pre-Qualification and Pre-Approval for Saratoga Home Buyers

By
Real Estate Agent with Keller Williams Capital District Real Estate

The Difference Between Pre-Qualification and Pre-Approval for Saratoga, NY Home Buyers

It is Important to Know the Difference!

prequalification versus preapproval

Mortgage brokers will often tell potential home buyers how important it is to have all their paperwork in before they start looking for a new home.  This is done to help home buyers understand how much they can afford and to expedite the buying process once they find their ideal home.  The terms pre-qualification and pre-approvaltend to be used interchangeably by home buyers, however they mean two completely different things.  Some lenders offer both pre-qualification and pre-approval loans to home buyers and here is the difference:

Pre-qualification is an informal way to find out approximately how much a home buyer you be able to borrow.  Pre-qualification has no obligation as it is a conversation, during which a home buyer indicates how much they owe and have in assets.  With the information obtained the lender with give a home buyer a ball park figure of a mortgage amount the buyer would likely qualify for.

Pre-approval on the other hand is a more formal commitment by a lender.  In other words an actual assurance to lend a home buyer a certain amount.  For pre-approval one would complete an official mortgage application and provide present evidence of their financial status.  When a lender analyzes this information along with a thorough background check and credit rankings, the lender will provide a conditional approval.

prequalification versus preapproval

Pre-Qualification = Good

Pre-Approval = Best

• Pre-qualification provides a snapshot of home buyers power

• Pre-qualification is an informal and easy to obtain process

Pre-qualification is unverified financial information

• Pre-qualification is generally not taken serious by sellers or real estate agents

• Does not indicate commitment by the lender to complete the loan

Pre-approval provides a detailed overview for home buyers

• Pre-approval is a formal process, harder for home buyers to obtain

Pre-approval is taken more seriously by sellers and real estate agents

• Indicates the lender is willing to complete the loan.

  1. If you would like to get more information on getting pre-approved visit Kurt Endres from Prospect Lending.

Contact a Saratoga NY Real Estate Agent.

 

Laura Cerrano
Feng Shui Manhattan Long Island - Locust Valley, NY
Certified Feng Shui Expert, Speaker & Researcher

Hi Melissa, I found you from Jim's post and wanted to take a minute to welcome another New Yorker!  If you have any questions I can help you with, just let me know.  And a big Welcome to Activerain, I think you're going to love it here!

 

 

Mar 01, 2010 01:22 PM