If you work with me, a licensed mortgage agent, to obtain a pre-approval, you can be confident you have access to mortgage financing and you will know how much you can spend before you head out shopping for a property.

It’s important to note, however, that there is a significant difference between being pre-approved and pre-qualified. In order to obtain a pre-approval, the lender fully underwrites the deal, whereas with a pre-qualification, only the most basic details are considered. Remember that many banks will only issue a pre-qualification.

In order to get pre-approved for a mortgage, I require a short list of information that will help me determine your buying power. I will explain to you the benefits of shorter or longer mortgage terms, the latest programs available, which mortgage products I believe will most likely meet your needs the best, and I will review all of the other costs involved with purchasing a home.

Getting pre-approved for a mortgage is something every potential homebuyer should do before going shopping for a new home. A pre-approval will give you the confidence of knowing that financing is available, and it can put you in a very positive negotiation position against other homebuyers who aren’t pre-approved.