There are several ways to begin the process of buying a home.
First, you must dream it. Then, you should get a pre-approval.
Buying a home is an exciting time, and some soon-to-be homeowners may be unsure about the first strategic steps that should be taken.
When you get preapproved for a loan, it’ll be like discovering an important roadmap to homeownership.
A pre-approval will help gauge how much home you can afford, which allows you to narrow down your search for a home that aligns with your budget and goals. This important piece of information will also assist you when it’s time to make an offer, as a pre-approval demonstrates your seriousness as a buyer.
When you take this step, a lender will verify your income, credit, assets and other factors that go into the lending decision. This process includes an application, even if you haven’t identified your desired property. You will also likely be informed on what documents are needed to move ahead.
The result from your pre-approval loan application should be a firm lender commitment stating how much you’ve been approved for.
Once you know how much home you can afford, a clearer path to homeownership surfaces.
Presenting a pre-approval letter sets a competitive tone early on. First, you can save time by shopping for a home that fits your budget. In addition, your pre-approval lets the seller know you have a leg up in the loan process and that you’re ready to make an offer that’s already approved by a lender.
As you begin to envision your dream home in the Seattle/Renton/Tacoma areas, we hope you take your next steps with Element Mortgage. We can help you to try to achieve pre-approved status so you can enter the market with confidence and a competitive edge.