Should you consult with a Mortgage Specialist before house hunting?

Absolutely! It's important to see your mortgage specialist before you begin your home search.

When we pre-qualify you, we help you determine how much of a monthly mortgage payment you can afford, and how much a loan you can afford. We do this by evaluating your income, debts, employment and residence situations, along with your available funds for down payment. We also review your required reserves, and some other things.

Once your qualified, we'll issue to you a "Loan Pre-Qualification Letter" (your real estate agent might call it a "pre-qual"), which says that we are working with you and that we're confident you'll qualify for a loan for the amount specified.

When you find a house that catches your eye, and you decide to make an offer, being pre-qualified for a mortgage will do a couple of things. First, it lets you know how much you can offer. Your real estate agent will help you decide on an appropriate offer, but being pre-qualified gives you the confidence to know you can follow through.

More importantly, to a home seller, your being pre-qualified is like you walked into their house with a suitcase full of cash to make the deal! They won't have to wonder if they're wasting their time because you'll never qualify for a mortgage to finance the amount you're offering for the home. You have the clout of a buyer ready to make the deal right now!

You can always use the calculators available on this site to get an idea of how much mortgage you can afford -- but it's important to meet with us. For one thing, you'll need a Pre-Qualification Letter! For another thing, we may be able to find a different mortgage program that fits your needs better.

Once you've located a home, and are ready to make an offer. We will assist you at working with a Lender to get your loan started.