While getting pre-qualified can give you a ballpark estimate on what you can afford, getting pre-approved is where the real magic happens.
Mortgage pre-approval means that a lender has stated (in writing) that you do qualify for a mortgage and what amount, based on submitted documentation of your current income and credit history.
A pre-approval usually specifies a term, interest rate and mortgage amount and is typically valid for a brief period of time, assuming various conditions are met.
There are three benefits to pre-approval including:
1. It confirms the maximum amount you can afford to spend
Not only does getting pre-approved make the search easier for you, but helps your real estate agent find the best home in your price range. Temptation will always be to start looking at the very top of your budget, but it is important to remember that there will be fees, such as mandatory closing costs, which can range from 1 to 4% of the purchase price. Factoring these into your maximum budget can help you narrow down a home that is entirely affordable and ensure future financial stability and security.
2. It can secure you an interest rate for 90-120 days while you shop for your new home
Getting pre-approved doesn’t commit you to a single lender, but it does guarantee the rate offered to you will be locked in from 90 to 120 days which helps if interest rates rise while you are still shopping. If interest rates actually decrease, you would still be offered the lower rate. Another benefit to pre-approval is that, when it comes time to purchase, pre-approval lets the seller know that securing financing should not be an issue. This is extremely beneficial in competitive markets where lots of offers may be coming in.
3. It lets the seller know that securing financing should not be an issue
Lastly, pre-approval lets the seller know that you are able to make the purchase. This can be very helpful in competitive markets where lots of offers may be coming in, as it helps to inform the seller that you’re a sure thing versus other potential bidders who may not have pre-approval.
Keep in mind, once you get your pre-approval, you will want to make sure not to jeopardize it. Until your mortgage application and sale is completed, be sure you don’t quit or change jobs, buy a new car or trade up, transfer large sums of money between bank accounts, leave your bills unpaid or open up new credit cards. You do not want your financial or employment details to change at all until you have closed on the new mortgage.
If you have any questions or want to get your pre-approval started today, don’t hesitate to reach out to a Dominion Lending Centres mortgage professional!
Written by DLC Marketing Team
