Buyers Tip-Why do I need a preapproval???

When working with 1st time homebuyers the #1 question I get asked is “Where do I begin?”.  As a realtor, I always recommend my clients to get a pre-approval before they start house hunting.   A Pre-approval gives a buyer a clear understanding of their purchasing power, which helps them to focus their search on homes that fit within their budget. It also demonstrates to sellers that the buyer is serious and financially qualified to purchase a home, which can give them an advantage over other buyers in a competitive market. Additionally, having a pre-approval in hand streamlines the mortgage approval process, making the transaction smoother and more efficient. This is singlehandedly the most important thing you can do before embarking on a search.