Mortgage Pre-Approval vs. Pre-Qualification: What’s the Difference?
As a trusted mortgage professional based in Saskatoon with Akal Mortgage Inc., I, Vishal Monga, often encounter clients who are eager to jump into the home-buying process but are unsure about the crucial first steps. One of the most common points of confusion revolves around “mortgage pre-qualification” and “ mortgage pre-approval. ” While these terms are sometimes used interchangeably, they represent distinctly different stages in your journey to homeownership. Understanding this difference can save you time, stress, and even give you a significant advantage in a competitive housing market. Let’s break down what each means and why it matters. Zoom image will be displayed Mortgage Pre-Qualification: The Casual Chat Think of mortgage pre-qualification as a preliminary, informal assessment of your borrowing capacity. It’s like a quick conversation with a lender or a quick online calculator where you provide a snapshot of your financial situation. You’ll typically share: Estima...