A pre-approval that means something when you make an offer.
A pre-approval is a lender’s preliminary review of your income, assets, and credit. Done properly, it tells you what’s realistic, tells sellers you’re serious, and surfaces problems while there’s still time to fix them.
- Plan to make offers in the next 1–6 months
- Want a price range based on your actual finances
- Are self-employed or have income that needs explaining early
- Were told “no” elsewhere and want a second look
Two words that get used interchangeably and shouldn’t be.
- Based on what you tell the lender, usually without documents
- Often no credit pull, or a soft pull
- Fast, and useful for a first sense of range
- Carries little weight with a listing agent
- Income, assets, and credit actually reviewed
- Hard credit inquiry; multiple mortgage inquiries within a short shopping window are treated as one by scoring models
- Produces a letter with a loan amount and program
- Still not a final approval: the property, appraisal, and full underwriting come later
Five steps, and what each one is for.
Conversation first
Goal, timeline, down payment source, and what payment feels comfortable. This shapes which programs are even worth reviewing.
No documents yet.Documents through the secure portal
You upload directly to the lender’s portal, never by email or through this site.
See the checklist below.Credit review
A tri-merge credit report. Jared walks through what’s on it, what helps, and whether anything should be addressed before you apply.
Numbers and program fit
Maximum loan amount, a comfortable loan amount (often different), estimated cash to close, and the program that fits. Automated underwriting findings where applicable.
Your letter, tailored to each offer
Letters can be issued for the specific price of a home you’re offering on, so you don’t show a seller more than you need to.
Jared to confirm letter practices and typical validity period.
The usual document list.
Varies by program and by how you’re paid. Self-employed borrowers and those with rental, commission, or bonus income typically need more.
- Government photo ID
- Most recent 30 days of pay stubs
- W-2s or 1099s for the last two years
- Federal tax returns for two years if self-employed, commissioned, or using rental income
- Two most recent months of bank and asset statements, all pages
- Source of down payment, including gift letter if funds are a gift
- Current mortgage statement and insurance declarations for any property you own
- Divorce decree, child support order, or bankruptcy discharge papers if applicable
- Certificate of Eligibility for VA (Jared can help obtain it)
- Explanation letters for credit events, job gaps, or large deposits
Does a pre-approval hurt my credit?
How long is a pre-approval good for?
Is a pre-approval a guarantee?
What if I’m self-employed?
Can I get pre-approved before I’ve picked an agent?
Start a pre-approval conversation.
Tell Jared a little about your plans. He’ll follow up directly, and documents are only gathered through the secure portal once you decide to proceed.
- No credit pull, no obligation
- Not an application; no guarantee of approval or terms
- Rather talk? Call or text 954-649-0020
Not ready for documents? That’s fine.
A first conversation needs nothing but a few minutes.