shopping for home loan

Mortgage Prequalification vs. Preapproval

A mortgage lender can either prequalify or preapprove you. Do you know the difference? When you prequalify for a mortgage:

  1. The lender simply gives you an estimate of what you can afford.

  2. The lender promises to provide you with home financing up to a specific amount.

  3. The lender places a prequalified amount of money in escrow to cover your down payment.

The correct answer is "A". Preapproval is preferable, because it includes a formal commitment. When you're preapproved, the lender agrees to supply you with home financing up to a set amount, as long as no major financial setbacks or problems with the property arise.