A mortgage pre-approval is a lender’s conditional assessment of how much you may be able to borrow after reviewing information such as income, assets, debts, and credit. It is not a final loan approval.
Why it matters
A strong pre-approval helps set a realistic price range and shows sellers that a lender has reviewed your finances.
You may be approved for more than you want to spend. Your personal comfort payment—not the maximum letter amount—should guide the home search.
What to remember
- ✓Expect to provide income, asset, identification, and debt documentation.
- ✓Avoid opening new credit or making large unexplained deposits during the process.
- ✓Ask whether the lender reviewed documents or issued only a quick pre-qualification.
I’ll help you prepare the right questions and build a search around the payment you want to live with.
This guide is for education, not a loan quote or legal, tax, insurance, or financial advice. Eligibility and transaction details vary. Confirm your options with the appropriate licensed professional.