If you’re in the market for a new home, one of the first steps you should take is getting pre-approved for a mortgage. Pre-approval is an important process that gives you a clear idea of how much you can borrow and helps you budget for your new home. It also gives you an advantage when it comes to making an offer on a home, as sellers are more likely to take your offer seriously if you have a pre-approval letter. Here’s how to get pre-approved for a mortgage.

1. Check your credit score

   Before you start the pre-approval process, it’s important to check your credit score. Your credit score is a key factor that lenders consider when determining whether to approve your mortgage application, so it’s important to make sure it’s as high as possible. If your credit score is low, you may want to take steps to improve it before applying for a mortgage.

2. Gather your financial documents

   To get pre-approved for a mortgage, you’ll need to provide lenders with a variety of financial documents, including your tax returns, pay stubs, and bank statements. It’s important to be as thorough as possible when gathering these documents, as lenders will use them to assess your financial situation and determine how much you can borrow.

3. Shop around for mortgage rates

   Once you have your financial documents in order, it’s time to start shopping around for mortgage rates. Different lenders offer different rates and terms, so it’s important to compare offers from multiple lenders to find the best deal. You can do this on your own or work with a mortgage broker, who can help you compare offers and negotiate with lenders on your behalf.

4. Get pre-approved

   Once you’ve found a lender and a mortgage rate that you’re happy with, it’s time to get pre-approved. This typically involves filling out a mortgage application and providing the lender with your financial documents. The lender will review your application and financial documents and determine how much you’re able to borrow based on your creditworthiness and income.

5. Review the pre-approval letter

   Once you’ve been pre-approved, the lender will provide you with a pre-approval letter. This letter outlines the terms of your mortgage, including the loan amount, interest rate, and any fees or closing costs. It’s important to review the letter carefully to make sure you understand the terms and that you’re comfortable with them.

6. Keep your finances in check

   Once you’ve been pre-approved, it’s important to keep your finances in check. This means continuing to make on-time payments on any existing debts and avoiding any major financial changes, such as taking on new debts or changing jobs. Lenders may re-assess your financial situation before closing, and any changes could affect your ability to get a mortgage.