Should I get pre-approved before buying a home?

Yes, you should get pre-approved!

There are tons of reasons why you should talk with a mortgage lender and get pre-approved before looking at homes. First & foremost, talking with a lender before looking at homes can help you understand exactly how much you can afford. Then you can already start narrowing down your search!

Plus, if you are a first-time homebuyer, there are many first-time homebuyer programs available that your lender can tell you about.

Another reason to talk with a lender before looking at homes is so you understand exactly what costs are associated with buying a home. It's more than you think.

There are many home buyers who don’t understand the difference between a down payment, prepaid items, and escrows, which can be thoroughly explained by a lender. A lender can also give you advice on the type of financing you should be looking to obtain and also whether or not you should request the seller to contribute towards your closing costs, also known as a seller’s concession.

If being a homeowner is your goal, I always recommend talking with a lender. A good lender will help you prepare your credit and make sure you are financially ready. If you would like a lender recommendation, please contact us. We have a network of lenders that we have worked with that are fantastic and will get the job done!