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First Step to Home Buying ? A Mortgage Pre-Approval

By Gloria Valvasori, Accredited Senior Agent

Real Estate Sales Representative with BETTER HOMES AND GARDENS REAL ESTATE SIGNATURE SERVICE

January 21, 2018 12:35 PM

Get a Mortgage Pre-Approval BEFORE

You Look For Your Next Home

An important ingredient in a successful home search is knowing how much you can afford. You don’t want to fall in love with a property only to find out it’s outside your price range.

Before you contact your Real Estate Agent to book appointments to go and view some properties, it is highly recommended you talk with your Bank or a Mortgage Broker to get a pre approved mortgage.

That’s why I recommend getting a Mortgage Pre-Approval. This is a document from your bank or other lender stating how much of a mortgage they are willing to give you. There are several advantages to getting this pre-approval:

The Benefits of a Pre-Approval

It gives you the peace-of-mind of knowing you can afford homes you view on the market, and won’t have problems arranging financing.
You know exactly how much you can afford to spend on your new home. There is nothing worse than finding a home you love only to discover it is beyond your budget.
It’s a sign to sellers that you are a serious, prepared buyer – which gives you the edge when making an offer.
Your rate is then locked in for 90-120 days.
If rates go up in that time period, your rate will remain the same as when you locked it in.
If the rates go down, then your rate will go down too

You can arrange for a Mortgage Pre-Approval with your bank or other lender, or by working with a good mortgage broker. I’m well-connected in the local real estate scene, so if you want me to recommend a reputable broker or lender, please contact me.

How Much Home Can You Afford?

Banks and lenders use specific criteria to determine how much of a mortgage they’re willing to offer you. They look at your income, expenses, credit history and employment status, as well as the down payment you plan to make on a home. It may seem like a scary process, but it is actually straightforward. You can usually get a Mortgage Pre-Approval in a day. You’ll be glad that you did.

By knowing what you can afford, you can confidently shop within that price range. For example, if you qualify for a $250,000 mortgage, and you have another $100,000 available as a down payment, you can look for homes in the $350,000 range.

Have questions about arranging financing? Please call or email me.