Whats the difference between being pre-approved or pre-qualified for a mortgage?
You can easily get a pre-qualification letter by calling a mortgage broker or lender and providing some basic financial information. Similarly, getting pre-qualified on the Internet is quick and easy. In contrast, a pre-approval letter involves verification of the information, which means that the lender will ask for documentation to confirm your employment, the source of your down payment and other aspects of your financial condition. Indeed, getting a pre-approval may be more time consuming than getting a pre-qualification but carries far more weight. Sellers often prefer to negotiate with pre-approved buyers because they know that these buyers are financially qualified to get the financing they need to close the transaction. Moreover, a pre-approval letter lets your real estate agent know that you’re a well-qualified buyer who is serious about purchasing a home. These factors notwithstanding, pre-approval letters aren’t binding on the lender, are subject to an appraisal of the home
