How Much Documentation Needs To Go Into a Pre-Approval Letter?

Today’s real estate market can be competitive for everyone. That’s why it’s important to understand the ins and outs of the home buying process before you hit the market. Let’s talk about what getting a mortgage pre-approval letter. It’s a good idea for anyone heading into the market for a new home.

Reasons to Seek Pre-Approval for Mortgages

This initial step is important, because it lets you know whether your expectation for a budget is realistic. It also let’s you know whether your credit is ready. It allows you to make sure you’re shopping in the right price range. Getting pre-approved involves an underwriting of your loan, and is much more certain than a pre-qualification.

Documents Needed for a Full Pre-Approval Letter

Here are the key items you should include in your application materials.

Proof of Income

For W-2 wage earners, proof of income is easily obtained through recent pay stubs and the last two years’ W2’s. Those who are self-employed or own their own businesses may require more:

• Two prior years’ tax returns
• Profit & Loss statement for the current year

These documents allow the bank to verify that your income is what you say it is.

Proof of Assets

This includes bank records showing full account numbers and balances, and brokerage statements. This also includes documentation of retirement accounts like your 401k benefits statement or your IRA accounts. These demonstrate where your down payment funds are coming from and if you have cash reserves.

Satisfactory Credit

Mortgage lenders may give better rates to people with higher credit scores, depending on the loan program you are applying for. And there may be higher interest rates charged for lower credit scores, depending on the loan program you are applying for.

There’s no guaranteed way to get your credit score to rise to a certain level. However, keeping all your accounts current and maintaining credit card balances less than 30 percent of your credit card limit are important.

Verification of Liabilities and Debt Ratios

Mortgage lenders pull a credit report to not only verify your credit score, but also to verify the amount of your liabilities that factor in your debt ratios. They look for your monthly payments as well as account balances. In some instances if an installment loan has less than 10 monthly payments left, a lender may not count it against your debt ratios.

Employment Verification

If you’re a regular wage-earner with W-2 income, your two most recent pay stubs and the last two years’ W2’s will help verify your income. If you are self-employed the last two years’ tax returns and a profit and loss statement for the current year are needed.

Advantages of Clearing the Hurdles and Getting Pre-Approved

There are a few concrete advantages you are able to count on when you go into the market with a pre-approval letter. For starters, the homebuying process will be mostly complete when you make your offer. There are still steps to take to protect your investment and get full approval for a mortgage, like appraisals, inspections, homeowners insurance and a title search. But your bank’s decisions about your ability to pay up to a certain amount will be ironed out already.

That’s not the only advantage, though. Sellers tend to take buyers more seriously when they come with letters showing they have a mortgage lined up through a mortgage lender that knows they are ready to buy. It demonstrates the ability to close more quickly and with confidence.

Realtors are also more confident showing homes to buyers who have pre-approval. Some buyers wonder whether a letter is required to see homes. The fact is that it is not, as explained in this breakdown by Realtor.com. That doesn’t mean your realtor will automatically show a place to you if you don’t make a specific request, though. To get pre-approved with Brian Martucci, you can start here.

Do You Need a Pre-Approval Letter to See a House?

Mortgage Preapproval Checklist

https://www.investopedia.com/terms/t/twenty-eight-thirty-six-rule.asp

https://www.nerdwallet.com/blog/mortgages/documents-needed-for-a-mortgage-preapproval/

https://www.investopedia.com/financial-edge/0411/5-things-you-need-to-be-pre-approved-for-a-mortgage.aspx