No Obligation and transparency 24/7. Instantly compare live rates and costs from our network of lenders across the country. Real-time accurate rates and closing costs for a variety of loan programs custom to your specific situation.
Are you looking to apply for a mortgage soon? If so, have you been pre-qualified for a mortgage? If so, it’s important to understand that this is not the same as a pre-approval, and lenders will require more before approving a loan application.
It’s important to understand that pre-qualification and pre-approval are not the same. With a pre-qualification, the lender relies on information provided by the buyer in order to estimate the amount he or she can borrow.
With a pre-approval, the lender verifies the buyer’s information and paperwork to assess what the borrower can afford. It also establishes the down payment and available loan programs.
The majority of sellers will not accept a simple pre-qualification letter. Especially in today’s competitive housing market, a seller will want a full pre-approval letter that specifies whether the buyer’s credit, income, and assets have all been verified and meet the lender’s requirements.
Even if you can’t fill out everything at once, submit the application. A loan officer will contact you for further clarification. To make progress, you’ll want to provide the absolute best contact information with your application. The mortgage process requires constant two-way communication.
Most pre-approvals will take 1 to 3 business days, depending on the complexity of your specific situation. The mortgage company will send you a pre-approval letter, which you can then use to prove your qualification to sellers. Here are some things to note about pre-approval:
– We suggest you get a pre-approval letter at the top of your target price range. From there, your pre-approval can be tailored to any future offers you may make.
– With the pre-approval letter in hand you can make an offer on a house any time of day, any day of the year, whether or not the mortgage company is readily available.
– Being pre-approved does not mean that you have locked in a specific mortgage interest rate or loan program. The execution of your rate lock and loan program will take place once a specific property is under contract.
The pre-approval is based on your financial picture at the time of application. Notify your mortgage company if you’ve had any changes in your financial situation. Losing your job, getting married, a drop in credit rating, or any other financial shift should be reported to your mortgage company immediately.
Even if you expect a change in your financial situation, get pre-approved first and report the change when it happens. It is much easier to update a pre-approval application down the road than to find your dream home and not be prepared.
| Feature | Pre-Qualification | Pre-Approval |
| Purpose | Initial estimate of borrowing power | Formal commitment from lender |
| Credit Check | Soft or none | Hard inquiry (may affect credit score) |
| Documentation Required | Minimal (self-reported info) | Extensive (income, assets, debts, employment) |
| Interest Rate Lock | No | Yes (rate can be locked for 60–130 days) |
| Validity Period | N/A | Typically 60–130 days |
| Best For | Early-stage planning | Serious buyers ready to make offers |
There are many other details that go into getting a home loan for any buyer, but it’s much more difficult if you haven’t completed a mortgage at all before. If you’re considering buying your first home, you can greatly ease the process by reading Getting Approved: What Every First Time Homebuyer Should Know.
Pre-qualification is a quick estimate based on self-reported financial info, while pre-approval involves a full credit check and lender verification.
No, it’s an informal assessment and doesn’t guarantee loan approval.
Pre-qualification usually involves a soft check (no impact), while pre-approval includes a hard credit check that may affect your score.
Start with pre-qualification to explore your budget, then move to pre-approval when you’re ready to make offers.
Yes, it’s possible, but sellers and agents typically prefer buyers with a pre-approval letter.
It can take a few days to a week, depending on how quickly you provide documentation and how fast the lender processes it.
Most pre-approvals are valid for 60 to 130 days.
You’ll typically need proof of income, employment, debts, and a credit report.
Yes, many lenders allow you to lock in a rate for the duration of your pre-approval period.
Yes, if your financial or credit situation changes during final underwriting, you can still be denied a loan.
Do you have questions about home loans? Are you ready to apply for a mortgage to buy a home? If so, Sammamish Mortgage can help. We are a local mortgage company from Bellevue, Washington serving the entire state, as well as Oregon, Idaho, California, and Colorado. We offer many mortgage programs to buyers all over the Pacific Northwest and have been doing so since 1992. Contact us today with any questions you have about mortgages, or visit our website to get an instant rate quote.
Whether you’re buying a home or ready to refinance, our professionals can help.
{hours_open} - {hours_closed} Pacific
No Obligation and transparency 24/7. Instantly compare live rates and costs from our network of lenders across the country. Real-time accurate rates and closing costs for a variety of loan programs custom to your specific situation.