When it comes to homebuying, knowing what you can afford should always be step number one. In today’s housing market, a real estate agent or seller is going to want to know if you’ve been pre-approved by a mortgage lender.

But what does pre-approval really mean, and why is it so important?

With rising home prices and high buyer competition, a pre-approval letter is crucial prior to making an offer. This year especially, being intentional and competitive are musts when it comes to buying a home.

Benefits of a Pre-Approval Letter

• A pre-approval letter is the only way to know your true price range and how much money you’re able to borrow for your loan.
• It shows that you’re a qualified buyer, which gives you a huge advantage in an ultra-competitive market.
• You may be able to negotiate a better deal as the pre-approval removes a lot of uncertainty for the seller.
• Winning an offer on a property that has multiple bids as the pre-approval makes you a stronger buyer.
• Confidence and peace of mind.

2022’s Competitive Housing Market is Real – Be Prepared

If you’ve been house hunting you know that there is limited housing inventory which means there are more buyers active in the market than there are sellers. In turn, this creates some serious competition. If you’ve been searching for your dream home, we know it’s frustrating, but don’t give up!

According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), homes today are receiving an average of 3.8 offers for sellers to consider. As a result, bidding wars are still common. Pre-approval gives you an advantage if you get into a multiple-offer scenario, and these days, it’s likely you will. When a seller knows you’re qualified to buy the home, you’re in a better position to potentially win the bidding war.

Freddie Mac explains:

“By having a pre-approval letter from your lender, you’re telling the seller that you’re a serious buyer, and you’ve been pre-approved for a mortgage by your lender for a specific dollar amount. In a true bidding war, your offer will likely get dropped if you don’t already have one.”

How Can You Gain an Advantage As a Home Buyer In Today’s Hot Housing Market?

Greenway Mortgage has expedited the approval process with its truly digital experience. With an easy online application and third-party verifications, Greenway Mortgage has significantly reduced the time and paperwork for the approval process.

So, remember what we said before? Pre-approval should be step number one when it comes to the home buying process. Before you head out to search for your dream home, click here to fill out our online pre-approval application!

In a competitive market with low inventory, a pre-approval letter is a game-changing piece of the homebuying process. Not only does being pre-approved bring clarity to your homebuying budget, but it shows sellers how serious you are about purchasing a home.

Our licensed mortgage experts are available 7 days a week to answer all your questions.