Prequalification and Preapproval for a Mortgage Are Two Wise Homebuying Decisions

Prequalification and Preapproval for a Mortgage

You want to think about obtaining a mortgage that is prequalified or preapproved. if you’re prepared to turn your dream of owning a home into a reality. It’s time to fully comprehend each of those terms and how they might be helpful to you. Furthermore, you want every advantage when pursuing a goal of this magnitude.

What is mortgage prequalification?

Prequalification is a crucial first step in the home-buying process. To prequalify for a home loan, you must provide information about your finances, and a credit check will be done. Based on this information, you will be given an estimate of how much you can borrow.

Prequalification allows you to research various mortgage products and consult with your lender to find the best suits your requirements and objectives.

What is mortgage pre-approval?

A pre-approval is the closest you can come to proving your creditworthiness without a purchase agreement. After you submit a mortgage application, the lender will check the data you supply.

Additionally, a credit check will be done. A pre-approval letter, an offer to lend you a specific amount of money, but not a commitment. valid for 90 days, will be given to you if you are preapproved.

When you are prepared to make an offer on a home, getting preapproved is wise. It demonstrates to sellers that you’re a serious home buyer and can obtain a mortgage, increasing the likelihood that you’ll close on the house.

How long does prequalification or preapproval take?

Prequalification and preapproval can both take a while. and play different roles in the home-buying process. Prequalifying at Bank of America is a simple online process that can yield results in as little as an hour. You’ll need to provide more information for mortgage preapproval, so the application process will probably take longer. After you have given all the necessary information, Your preapproval letter ought to arrive in 10 business days.

What information do I need to provide?

PREQUAL PREAPPROVAL
Income information Copies of pay stubs that show your most recent 30 days of income
Credit check Credit check
Basic information about bank accounts Bank account numbers or two most recent bank statements
Down payment amount and desired mortgage amount Down payment amount and desired mortgage amount
No tax information required W-2 statements and signed, personal and business tax returns from the past two years

Which is right for me?

Prequalification is more likely to be helpful to first-time homebuyers, especially when they are setting their budget and want to know how much they might be able to borrow.

When making an offer on a home, preapproval can be very helpful, especially if you want to stand out from other potential buyers in a competitive market. Once more, a seller will be more inclined to view you as a serious buyer because your financial situation and creditworthiness have been confirmed. 

You’re prepared to apply, prequalify, or get preapproved. Start your Digital Mortgage Experience now.

COMPARISON OF PREQUALIFICATION AND PREAPPROVAL

  PREQUAL PREAPPROVAL
Benefits You can start house-hunting knowing how much you might be able to borrow. You’ll be ready to make an offer with confidence—and gain a competitive advantage
Process Provide basic information to a lender and quickly get a prequalification amount. After submitting documentation to a lender, you should receive a decision within 10 business days.
Documentation Answer questions for this process, plus a credit check Provide proof of financial details, plus a credit check

Featured Image: Freepik © Drazen Zigic