Pre-Approvals Make Homeownership a Hole-In-One

You know you should line up your golf shot before you take a swing. You know to read the green before you putt… but did you know you should get a pre-approval before bidding on a home?

Having a strong pre-approval from a reputable lender like Gershman Mortgage can be the difference between making your offer a hole-in-one and saying goodbye to that house you love. Let’s take a look at why pre-approvals are the ultimate shot in today’s market!

What Is a Mortgage Pre-Approval?

A pre-approval is a letter written by a mortgage lender that certifies the amount a home buyer is approved to borrow. This is determined by a thorough examination of the buyer’s income, credit, debts, and financial history. Think of your pre-approval as your course map, guiding you to the homes that will fit your budget!

Why are these so important? Imagine going to an open house and putting in an offer on the home, only to find out there’s no way you can actually afford it. A big ole swing and a miss! Having this information before you start shopping helps you avoid these scenarios all together.

Can You Tell Me How to Get Pre-Approved for a Mortgage?

Getting pre-approved from Gershman Mortgage is easy and painless! Reach out to a loan officer near you and let them know you’re interested in getting pre-approved for a home loan. They will ask you for the following information to get you started:

• W2s and/or 1099s
• Personal and/or business tax returns
• Award Letter(s) if applicable
• Pay stubs
• Bank statements
• Brokerage statements
• Driver’s license
• Mortgage statements (for all loans)
• Declarations page of your homeowner’s insurance if applicable

Once the loan officer has this information, they can do a quick analysis and, in return, they will let you know what your ideal home budget is! Think of us as your caddy, guiding you through the course of homeownership and warning you of hazards ahead!

Mortgage Loan Pre-Approval VS Pre-Qualification – What’s the Difference?

A pre-qualification is based solely on what a buyer tells a mortgage lender their financial situation is. It’s the lender’s estimate of what you can afford without having reviewed any of your accounts or paperwork. A pre-approval is a much more thorough and beneficial tool to keep in your golf bag.

Next Steps

Now that you have your pre-approval from Gershman Mortgage in hand, it’s time for the fun part – house hunting! Now when you find a house you love, you can put an offer in with confidence. The seller will see that you’ve gotten pre-approved from a credible lender and know you’re a serious contender. The rest is basically a gimmie!

Ready to Get Pre-Approved with Gershman Mortgage?

The Gershman Mortgage team is ready to help you land a hole-in-one! Get in touch with one of our pros today and get started on your journey – and we’ll be ready to celebrate with you at the 19th Hole!

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About Gershman: Communities, families, and homes are at the heart of what we do at Gershman Mortgage. Our founding principles are based on the core values of honesty, integrity, the entrepreneurial spirit, and putting our customers first. We are passionate and committed to customer service and strive to ensure that we exceed the expectations of our customers. We are a customer-centric company devoted to creating and maintaining long-lasting relationships.

NMLS #138063 16253 Swingley Ridge Road, Suite 200, Chesterfield, MO 63017 (800) 457-2357 Equal Housing Lender. Serving Borrowers in: Alabama, Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Wisconsin

Written by Alli Wideman 05/08/2025 for Gershman Mortgage