In many markets across the country, the number of buyers searching for their dream homes outnumbers the number of homes for sale. This has led to a competitive marketplace where buyers often need to stand out. One way to show that you are serious about buying your dream home is to get pre-qualified or pre-approved for a mortgage before starting your search.

Even if you are not in an incredibly competitive market, understanding your budget will give you the confidence of knowing whether or not your dream home is within your reach.

Freddie Mac lays out the advantages of pre-approval in the ‘My Home’ section of their website:

“It’s highly recommended that you work with your lender to get pre-approved before you begin house hunting. Pre-approval will tell you how much home you can afford and can help you move faster, and with greater confidence, in competitive markets.”

One of the many advantages of working with a local real estate professional is that many have relationships with lenders who will be able to help you through this process. Once you have selected a lender, you will need to fill out their loan application and provide them with important information regarding “your credit, debt, work history, down payment and residential history.”

Freddie Mac describes the ‘4 Cs’ that help determine the amount you will be qualified to borrow:

1. Capacity: Your current and future ability to make your payments

2. Capital or cash reserves: The money, savings, and investments you have that can be sold quickly for cash

3. Collateral: The home, or type of home, that you would like to purchase

4. Credit: Your history of paying bills and other debts on time

Getting pre-approved is one of many steps that will show home sellers that you are serious about buying, and it often helps speed up the process once your offer has been accepted.

Bottom Line

Many potential homebuyers overestimate the down payment and credit scores necessary to qualify for a mortgage. If you are ready and willing to buy, you may be pleasantly surprised at your ability to do so today.

Click Here...to view all homes for sale in The Houston TX area and surrounding cities. Best Priced Properties Team "Clients First" Russell and Melissa Banki REAL ESTATE EXPERTS- Hite Properties Certified Negotiation Experts (CNE) Accredited Luxury Home Specialist (ALHS) Certified Home Selling Advisors (CHSA) Certified Home Buying Advisors (CHBA) Certified Expert Home Selling and Buying Advisors. Ask us about our Smart Home Buying and Selling Strategy. CALL OR TEXT. cel 713-480-0889 or 936-445-0216. As local real estate Montgomery County Real Estate Experts in The Woodlands, Spring,Shenandoah, Magnolia, Montgomery, Conroe and Greater North Houston/Houston TX Metro areas we can save you valuable time & money! Contact us today. We want to earn your business and help you achieve all of your real estate goals. It would be our pleasure to help you with all your residential/commercial buying, selling or investment needs. We believe our clients should feel confident and benefit from selling or purchasing real estate. Be sure to ask us about our seller and buyer promotions for February.