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Looking to buy a home? Let’s talk about two important steps you’ll need to take if you’re planning on getting a mortgage: prequalification and preapproval. These processes help you determine how much house you can afford, each in a different way.
Prequalification is like a quick peek into your wallet. It gives you a rough idea of what you could borrow with a mortgage, based on basic information only. Preapproval, on the other hand, is a deep dive into your finances, when a lender takes a close look at your finances to give you a more precise and reliable estimate of how much they’re willing to lend you.
Both steps are important, depending on where you are in your homebuying journey. Here’s a closer look at what each step means.
🔍 Must read: How to get the lowest rate on your next mortgage
Prequalification: What it means and how it works
Mortgage prequalification is an informal estimate of how much you may be able to borrow. It’s based on information you provide, without any verification from the lender regarding its accuracy. Typically, lenders don’t conduct a hard credit check or verify your financial details, and you usually don’t need to submit supporting documents.
Prequalification often serves as the first step in the mortgage process, helping you understand your potential homebuying budget.
Who prequalification is best for
Prequalification is best for prospective homebuyers who want to assess their borrowing capacity. It provides a quick way to evaluate your financial readiness to purchase a home without the need to complete a lengthy mortgage application or gather personal and financial documentation.
Benefits of prequalification
Prequalifying for a mortgage helps you to understand how much home you might afford before you shop, with benefits that include:
Quick process. You can submit your info in minutes.
No impact to credit score. Usually involves only a soft credit check or no check at all.
Multiple lender comparison. Easily obtain prequalifications from various lenders.
No paperwork required. Based on self-reported information only.
Offers guidance. Helps you establish a homebuying budget before you apply for a mortgage.
How to get started with mortgage prequalification
Contact a lender. Prequalification is typically done online, but you can also reach out to a bank, credit union or mortgage lender to start the process.
Provide basic information. You’ll share your estimated annual income, approximate monthly debts, desired loan amount and estimated credit score range.
Undergo a soft credit check. Some lenders may request your Social Security number to perform a soft credit inquiry, which doesn’t affect your credit score. Others won’t require it at all.
Review your estimate. The lender will use the information you provide to give you a quick estimate of how much you might be able to borrow.
Dig deeper: Buying a new home in retirement: Pros, cons and weighing your options
Preapproval: What it is and how it works
Preapproval is a much more comprehensive process than prequalification. Mortgage preapproval is a lender’s conditional commitment to offer you a specific loan amount, usually good for 90 days. It involves filling out a full mortgage application, uploading financial documents and undergoing a hard credit check.
You’ll want to get preapproved for a mortgage before you begin your house hunt. Not only does preapproval give you a clear budget, but it signals to sellers that you’re a serious buyer.
Who preapproval is best for
Preapproval is best for serious homebuyers ready to make offers. However, it may not be the best choice for those not ready to buy a home, as it can lower your credit score by up to 10 points.
Benefits of preapproval
Builds trust and credibility. Sellers are more likely to take your offer seriously when they know you’re backed by a willing lender.
Bolsters your position. A preapproval letter boosts your ability to bargain and can make your offer stand out among the crowd.
Establishes your budget. Preapproval provides realistic and lender-vetted expectations around how much house you can actually afford.
Speeds up closing. Since much of the financial paperwork is done up front, closing can be faster and more efficient.
Reduces stress. Knowing you’re preapproved can alleviate some of the anxiety associated with homebuying.
How to get started with mortgage preapproval
Choose a lender. Research lenders and get prequalified first to determine which has the most competitive rates and borrowing terms. You can also use a loan marketplace like LendingTree to prequalify with multiple lenders through one request.
Fill out an application. Once you’ve prequalified and narrowed down your choices, complete a formal mortgage application with your personal information, Social Security number and details about your employment, income, assets and debts.. You can do this online, over the phone or in person, depending on the lender.
Submit your paperwork. For your lender to verify your information, you’ll provide a range of financial documents, including recent pay stubs, W-2s or 1099s for the past two years, tax returns for the past two years, bank statements for the past two months and statements for existing assets and debts.
Undergo a hard credit check. Lenders perform a hard credit inquiry for preapproval, which temporarily dings your credit score by around five points for most people. Borrowers with a very good FICO score of 740 and up tend to qualify for the lowest mortgage rates.
Wait for underwriting. Lenders assess your credit history and finances to determine your ability to repay the loan. Depending on the lender, this process could happen in minutes or take up to a week or more. Online lenders tend to turn around preapprovals in as little as one or two days.
Get a preapproval letter. If approved, you’ll receive a preapproval letter that states the loan amount you qualify for. This letter is typically valid for about 90 days and can be used to make offers on homes.
💡 Expert tip: Transparency is key
It’s crucial to maintain financial stability and transparency throughout the entire homebuying process. This will help ensure that your mortgage preapproval translates into a successful mortgage closing.
Remember: Preapproval is conditional, with final approval depending on your stable, consistent employment, credit score and debt levels — all of which can raise your debt-to-income ratio and lower your credit score.
Note too that after you’ve submitted an offer on a house, the property’s appraisal must meet or exceed the purchase price of the home you’re buying.
Dig deeper: How much does a 1% mortgage rate change actually matter?
Preapproval vs. prequalification: How they compare — and where they differ
Prequalification | Preapproval | |
Purpose | Establishes your homebuying budget as a first step before you shop | Provides lender-vetted details as a critical step to make offers on homes you want to buy |
Process type | Informal estimate only | Conditional commitment from a lender |
Turnaround | Within minutes, depending on lender | Same day or up to 7 days, depending on lender |
Application type | No formal application | Full mortgage application |
Credit check | Soft credit check may be required | Hard credit check is required |
Verification | Self-reported information only | Lender will thoroughly verify your personal and financial information with official documents |
Loan amount | Provides an estimate only | Specifies an exact loan amount |
Interest rate | Possible ranges only | Specifies interest rate, with some lenders offering “lock and shop” that secures rate while you search for a home |
Validity period | None | Usually up to 90 days |
🏡 Also in this series
FAQs: Mortgages, homebuying and your budget
Learn more about how prequalification, preapproval and homebuying works before applying for a mortgage.
Does mortgage prequalification mean I’m approved?
No. Prequalification results in an informal estimate that doesn’t guarantee you’ll be approved for a mortgage. To learn whether your loan is approved, you must submit a formal mortgage application.
Which comes first: mortgage prequalification or preapproval?
Though some lenders use these terms interchangeably, prequalification is the first step in getting a mortgage, resulting in a rough estimate of how much you may be able to borrow when you’re ready to apply. Preapproval is the result of a full mortgage application, providing a written statement from lenders willing to let you borrow money for a home .
What is a mortgage rate lock — and how does it work with preapproval?
A mortgage rate lock is a guarantee from a lender that your interest rate won’t change for a set period of time — often 30 to 60 days or more. Some lenders offer “lock and shop” programs with preapproval, allowing you to lock in a rate while you’re still house hunting, either free or for a fee, depending on the lender. Learn more about “locked in” rates in our guide to mortgage rate locks.
Should I get preapproved by multiple lenders?
You might want to. Getting multiple preapprovals allows you to compare offers and find the best rates and terms for your property, budget and goals.. Unlike applying for other types of credit, if you apply for several mortgage preapprovals within 14 to 45 days, bureaus often count it as a single credit inquiry. This makes for minimal impact on your credit score, even if you apply with multiple lenders.
Can I qualify for a homebuyer program if I’ve already owned a home?
Yes, there are a surprising number of homebuyer programs for senior buyers and retirees, for people who’ve purchased a home before or even people who need help paying off their current home, with liberal definitions of what makes you a “first time” homebuyer.. Learn more about eligibility, types of help and where to look in our guide to homebuyer assistance.
What is a debt-to-income ratio?
A debt-to-income ratio — or DTI — compares how much debt you owe against your gross monthly income expressed as a percentage. Lenders use your DTI to determine how likely you are to repay an additional debt, like a mortgage. Typically, a DTI of 43% is the highest percentage you can have and still qualify for a loan.
About the writer
Kat Aoki is a seasoned finance writer who’s written thousands of articles to empower people to better understand technology, fintech, banking, lending and investments. Her expertise has been featured on sites like Forbes Advisor, Lifewire and Finder, with bylines at top technology brands in the U.S. and Australia. Kat strives to help consumers and business owners make informed decisions and choose the right financial products for their needs.
Article edited by Kelly Suzan Waggoner
