What Is The Difference Between Being Prequalified And Preapproved For A Loan?
Are you wondering what is the difference between being prequalified and preapproved for a loan? Do you always get confused because they seem pretty much the same thing, right? But there is actually a fundamental difference between both.
And it is pretty simple to explain it:
When you receive a letter saying you're prequalified for a loan, it means that you POTENTIALLY could get a loan for the amount stated in the letter - assuming that all of the information they have on you (whether given directly by you or by credit report agencies) was accurate and true.
Now, when you're pre-approved, it means that you have already undergone the extensive financial background check - which includes looking at your credit report, previous tax returns and verifying your employment - and the lender is willing to give you a loan. You're APPROVED! So, they give you a letter that states such and it is usually valid for 60 days thereafter. Notwithstanding the above, you will have an accurate figure which shows the maximum amount that you are approved for.
Can you see what is the difference between being prequalified and preapproved for a loan now?
Preapproved is a done deal for a determined value should you decide to go further, while prequalified is an invitation to see how much under that specified value can you get once all your financial information is checked and your credit risk is assessed. Because of that, most home sellers prefer home buyers that have been preapproved because they know that there will not be any problems with the purchase of their home.
Some real estate agents will even tell you to first get preapproved before going out shopping because the amount you will be able to get will define the ballpark at which you will be able to play in.
Popular Real Estate Questions
Popular Real Estate Glossary Terms
Individual or entity that divides up a large piece of owned land into smaller pieces generally for the purpose of developing them into homes for sale in the future. ...
Legal action between a plaintiff and defendant. ...
Raised concrete border constructed along a street or a sidewalk. A curb prevents vehicle from going on the adjacent property and sidewalks as well as directing runoff into storm drains. ...
An agricultural technique of supplying water to land to sustain the growth of crops. Developing irrigation system is an ancient practice being used as early as 500 BC along the banks of ...
Net return on a real estate investment. It equals the income less the expenses associated with the property. ...
Person who dies leaving a will specifying the distribution of the estate. ...
Interest rate on a mortgage is changed periodically based on the change in a general price index to take into account inflation, such as a yearly adjustment. An example is the consumer ...
Sewer system built into the streets of a neighborhood that is capable of accommodating the excess water flow of a heavy storm without backing up or flooding. ...
In the mining and petroleum industries, it is a portion of the profit secured from the extracted minerals or oil reserves from the property paid to the property owner. For example, a ...
Have a question or comment?
We're here to help.