Mortgage Pre-Approval
Know What You Can Afford Before You Start House Hunting Before you fall in love with your dream home, make sure it’s truly within reach. A mortgage pre-approval gives you a clear picture of your homebuying power—and gives sellers confidence in your offer. I’m Corey Johnson, Branch Manager at CrossCountry Mortgage in Tequesta, FL. I’m here to help you shop smarter and more confidently with a mortgage pre-approval that puts you in control.
What Is Mortgage Pre-Approval? Mortgage pre-approval is an early step in the home loan process where I review your finances—including your income, credit, debt, and employment—to determine how much home you can afford. You'll receive a pre-approval letter that shows sellers you're a serious and qualified buyer. It’s not a final loan approval, but it gives you a significant advantage in today’s competitive market.
Pre-Approval vs. Pre-Qualification: What’s the Difference? While both give you an idea of your buying power, pre-approval is more in-depth and reliable: Pre-qualification is based on basic info you provide (no credit check). Pre-approval involves a credit check and review of your financial documents, providing a stronger estimate and a stronger buying position.
When Should You Get Pre-Approved? Only when you’re ready to buy, your pre-approval is valid for up to 90 days, so it’s best to get it when you’re ready to tour homes and make offers. Many agents prefer to work with pre-approved buyers—it saves time and increases your credibility. If your letter expires, don’t worry—we’ll update your info and issue a new one.
Why Mortgage Pre-Approval Matters Getting pre-approved can help you: ✅ Focus your home search within your price range ✅ Strengthen your offers with sellers and agents ✅ Get a clearer picture of monthly payments and interest rates ✅ Speed up the closing process ✅ Shop with confidence and peace of mind
What If You’re Approved for Less Than You Expected? Think of pre-approval as a financial checkup. If your numbers come back lower than expected, that’s a valuable signal. I can help you explore: Credit report issues Reducing monthly debt Increasing income or savings Improving your credit score And we can reapply as often as needed once your financial situation improves.
What You’ll Need to Get Pre-Approved Before we get started, gather these documents: Recent pay stubs (proof of income) Bank statements and asset info Driver’s license and Social Security number Recent tax returns W-2s or 1099 forms We'll run a credit check and provide a precise, competitive loan estimate. You’ll typically receive your pre-approval letter in about three business days.
Get Pre-Approved the Smart Way If you’re comparing lenders, be sure to complete all pre-approvals within a 30-day window—that way, it counts as a single inquiry on your credit report. Ready to start? I’ll guide you from pre-approval to closing day—and beyond.