Should I get a mortgage pre-approval?
Going through the pre-approval process is important. However, people often misunderstand the actual term ‘pre-approval.’ It’s not magic, and it’s certainly not binding.
Let’s be clear, a pre-approval isn’t for the lender. It’s for you!
And yes, if you’re considering buying a property, you should start with a pre-approval. But be aware that simply having a pre-approval isn’t all you need to secure mortgage financing.
Where do I start?
When you sit down with your mortgage broker, we’ll discuss your financial situation. This will include accessing your credit report, and reviewing all income and down payment documents. At the end of the pre-approval process, you should be clear on just how much you qualify to purchase and how much this will cost. A pre-approval should never be relied on as a sure-fire bet for future mortgage financing. There is a lot more to work through.
While we can work together to preview and catch any significant areas of concern such as unpaid/unfiled taxes, employment probation, or clarity around down payment origins, please understand that lenders do not offer a formal live review of documents, so it’s important to protect yourself as best you can.
What’s next?
The best way to do this is to include a condition (or ‘subject’) clause along the lines of ‘subject to receiving and approving satisfactory financing’. There are several variables that can derail a final approval once you write an offer on a property. This clause protects you while everything is sorted out. This is arguably the single most important clause in a purchase contract, and should not be taken lightly.
So the bottom line is, start with a pre-approval. Protect yourself by allowing enough time during the purchase transaction to finalize the mortgage financing. If you have any questions about this or anything else mortgage related, please don’t hesitate to contact me anytime!