Shopping for a Mortgage

The first and most important step is getting pre-approved for a mortgage. This process will give you the information as to what your monthly mortgage payments will be and how much house you can afford. 

Filling out a mortgage application, usually online, is the first step toward your buying process. You cannot make an offer without the pre-approval letter from your mortgage company.   

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.”