Keller Williams Realty
Conroe/Lake Conroe/Huntsville
Buy Steps
step 1 > step 2 > step 3 > step 4 > step 5 > step 6 > step 7 > step 8 > step 9 > step 10 >
STEP 2 - PRE-APPROVAL VS. PRE-QUALIFICATION

Now that you know what you want in a home, you need to find out what you can afford. There are two ways to go about this: prequalification or pre-approval for a loan. Either way, you can contact your agent about choosing a mortgage company. Prequalification is the simpler of the two processes. It can even be done online or over the phone. When you contact a mortgage company, they will ask you for some basic information about your finances ? how much money you earn, your debt load, etc. They will take this information and give you a rough estimate of how much of a loan you might qualify for.

Pre-approval is more a more in-depth process. The lender will perform an extensive check of your finances including your credit rating, whether or not you're a first-time buyer, what your debt load is, how much money you have to put as a down payment, etc. This figure will be a much more reliable estimate of what you can afford.

In most markets, pre-approved buyers are preferred over those that are merely pre-qualified. Being pre-approved lets the seller know you have gone through an extensive financial background check and there should be no unexpected obstacles to you buying their home.

Keller Williams Realty Conroe/Lake Conroe / Magnolia/Huntsville Team Leader: Amanda P. Rutt
2200 North FM3083 West Phone: 936-525-3200
Conroe, TX 77304 Fax: 936-441-8001
Office Email