Why You Should Get a Mortgage Pre-Approval
Buying a home can be a complicated process, but there are things you can do to ease some of the stress. Preparation for purchase should begin well before you ever look at a potential property. Important things to consider when purchasing a new home include crime rates, school district reputations, commute times to work or school, availability of public transportation, HOA fees, and, of course, how much you can afford. Obtaining a mortgage pre-approval is the best way to estimate how much you can finance for a new home.
Know Your Purchase Power
Determining your budget can be difficult if you plan to finance a purchase. Without knowing the exact term and interest rate you’ll be paying, you can’t accurately calculate the total purchase price you can afford. A mortgage pre-approval letter will tell you what a lender estimates they can finance based on your background and credit history. You’ll need to provide the lender with some detailed information about yourself to obtain the pre-approval, including your income figures, credit report and score, and employment history. You won’t have to worry about falling in love with a home you cannot afford as long as you stick to the pre-approval letter’s limit. Read more
Today’s real estate market is on fire — if you are a seller, that is. The current supply of available homes is down by around a third since last year! Homes are also selling in record-setting times, sometimes within just hours of hitting the market. Many people are currently going all out to purchase any home that pops onto the market, and sellers are receiving multiple offers (in some cases, 50 or more!) well over their asking price.