Preapproval vs. Prequalification
Understanding the difference between mortgage preapproval and prequalification is crucial when buying a home. Mortgage preapproval involves a thorough assessment of your financial information, including income, savings, debts, and credit score. It provides an official loan amount and terms after going through underwriting. Prequalification, on the other hand, is a simpler process that gives a general estimate of eligibility without a formal application or credit check. Preapproval typically lasts 30 to 90 days, while prequalification has no formal expiration. Preapproval requires a hard credit inquiry, which may temporarily lower your score. It's important to limit the number of lenders during preapproval. Overall, understanding these processes helps navigate the mortgage approval journey with confidence. ...
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