Purchase a Home
Why get pre-approved?
The first step that makes every other step easier.
Shop with confidence
A pre-approval is a lender's review of your income, assets, debts and credit. It tells you how much you may borrow and what your payment could look like.
Why it matters
- Know your budget. Focus on homes you can afford and avoid disappointment.
- Stronger offers. Sellers and listing agents take pre-approved buyers more seriously, especially in competitive markets.
- Faster closing. Much of the paperwork is done before you find a home.
- No surprises. Credit or documentation issues come up early, while there is time to fix them.
Pre-qualified vs. pre-approved
A pre-qualification is a quick estimate based on what you tell us. A pre-approval goes further: we review documents and credit. A pre-approval is not a final loan approval or a commitment to lend; final approval depends on the property, appraisal and underwriting.
What to have ready
- Recent pay stubs and two years of W-2s or tax returns
- Recent bank and asset statements
- Photo ID
- Details on any other real estate you own