- Pre-qualification is an initial estimate of how much you might be able to borrow based on basic financial info you provide.
- Pre-approval is a deeper step where we verify income, credit, and assets, and issue a letter you can use when making an offer.
Bottom line: Pre-approval carries more weight with sellers because it’s backed by verified data.
It depends on the loan program:
- Conventional loans: As little as 3% down.
- FHA loans: 3.5% down with a 580+ credit score.
VA & USDA loans: 0% down for eligible borrowers.
We’ll match you with the best option based on your finances and goals.
Most programs require:
- Conventional: 620+
- FHA: 580+ (3.5% down) or 500+ (10% down)
- VA & USDA: No set minimum, but lenders often prefer 580–620+
Your score also affects your interest rate and loan terms, so improving it before applying can save you thousands.
Typical timelines:
- Pre-approval: 24–48 hours after documents are received.
From contract to closing: Around 21–30 days for most loans.
We’ve closed in as little as 8 days when everything is in place.
Your payment usually includes:
- Principal: Pays down the loan balance
- Interest: The cost of borrowing the money
- Taxes & Insurance: Collected in escrow and paid on your behalf
- Mortgage Insurance (if applicable): Required for certain loan types with lower down payments
Yes. You’ll just need to provide additional documentation, usually:
- 2 years of personal and business tax returns
- Profit & loss statements
- Bank statements to verify income stability
- We specialize in helping self-employed buyers structure their file to get approved.
Fixed-rate: The interest rate stays the same for the life of the loan. Predictable payments.
ARM: The rate is fixed for an initial period, then adjusts periodically based on market rates. Often starts lower but can increase.
The right choice depends on how long you plan to keep the loan and your risk tolerance.
Not always. Lenders look at your debt-to-income ratio (DTI) to determine if you qualify.
Sometimes it’s better to keep cash for your down payment and closing costs rather than paying off all debts. We can run both scenarios to see which helps you most.
Closing costs typically range 2–5% of the purchase price. They include lender fees, title insurance, taxes, and more.
You can:
- Pay them yourself
- Ask the seller for concessions to cover some or all costs
- Use lender credits to offset them (may raise your rate slightly)
Yes. Lenders factor your student loan payment into your DTI.
Even if loans are in deferment, most programs use a calculated payment amount. We’ll guide you on how to present your loan info so it doesn’t hurt your approval.
Get pre-approved. This shows you what you can afford, strengthens your offer, and helps you shop with confidence.
We can complete your pre-approval in less than a day once we have your documents.
Absolutely. There are state, county, and even employer-based programs that can cover part (or all) of your down payment and closing costs.
We’ll check eligibility for your area and guide you through the application process.
