At this stage in the process, it’s time to obtain a mortgage pre-approval. This is a crucial step for any serious homebuyer, as it shows sellers that you are financially qualified and ready to make an offer. A pre-approval gives you a clear understanding of your budget, helps narrow down your home search, and can give you a competitive edge in a fast-moving market.

Having a pre-approval in hand:

• Demonstrates to sellers and their agents that you’re a serious and qualified buyer

• Helps you understand your true buying power and monthly payments

• Streamlines the offer process and can speed up the closing timeline

• Reduces surprises by identifying potential credit or financial issues early

To make this step easier, we’ve put together a list of trusted, local lenders we’ve worked with and recommend: