Why Mortgage Pre-Approval Should Come Before House Shopping

One of the most important first steps in your home-buying journey is getting a mortgage pre-approval — before you start looking at properties. Too many buyers make the mistake of browsing listings without knowing what they can realistically afford. A pre-approval not only saves time—it gives you confidence and a competitive edge in a fast market.

Getting pre-approved means a lender has reviewed your financial information—income, assets, credit history—and has provided a conditional commitment for a specific loan amount. This is different from a pre-qualification, which is more of an informal estimate. A pre-approval puts real buying power in your hands.

Know Your Budget

A pre-approval clarifies what price range you should focus on, so you aren’t wasting time looking at homes outside your financial reach. This helps you stay efficient, reduce frustration, and set realistic expectations from the start.

Shop with Confidence

When you walk into a showing with a pre-approval letter, sellers and agents know you’re a serious buyer. This credibility becomes especially powerful in competitive markets where multiple offers and bidding wars are common. Sellers often prefer offers from pre-approved buyers because the risk of financing falling through is lower.

Move Faster & Stronger

Once you find the right home, being pre-approved means you can act quickly with an offer. In many cases, being able to submit an offer with a pre-approval letter can be the difference between winning your dream home or losing it to another buyer.

Want to get started? Contact me today at www.toddprobasco.com for a fast, friendly mortgage pre-approval and take the first step toward homeownership!