People who want to buy a home are advised to get a mortgage preapproval before they begin house-hunting. While that’s a good idea for both parties, it’s not required. If you put your home on the market, be ready to receive offers from buyers who don’t have a mortgage preapproval.
What Does It Mean When a Buyer Is Preapproved?
When a buyer applies for mortgage preapproval, a lender requests information on that person’s income, assets, as well as review their credit. If the applicant meets the lender’s criteria, the company issues a mortgage preapproval letter. This letter states how much money the institution is willing to lend the applicant to purchase a house.
The buyer can then present that letter to a seller to demonstrate that they are in good shape financially. The buyer will have to seek final approval for a mortgage, either from the same company or from a different one, before closing on a home.
Why Should You Prefer an Offer From a Buyer Who Has Been Preapproved?
A mortgage preapproval letter means that a lender has reviewed an applicant’s finances. They have found that the person has the financial resources needed to buy a house. If you’re selling your
home and you receive an offer from a buyer who has a mortgage preapproval, it’s highly likely the transaction will be smooth.
It’s possible that a problem, such as a job loss, drop in credit score or another issue, will arise and cause the deal to fall through. That’s why the buyer will need to secure final approval before closing. Still, you can be relatively confident that a buyer who has mortgage preapproval will be able to purchase your home.
If a buyer doesn’t have a mortgage preapproval, that doesn’t necessarily mean that they can’t afford to buy your house. It just means that a lender hasn’t reviewed the individual’s finances. If you accept an offer from someone who doesn’t have a preapproval, the deal may go off without a hitch. Worse, it may quickly fall apart.
If a potential sale falls through, you’ll have to re-list your home. That can cause you to lose valuable time. Additionally, it may make other prospective buyers wonder if there is something wrong with the house or if it was overpriced.
When Might It Make Sense to Accept an Offer From Someone Who Hasn’t Been Preapproved?
If your house has been on the market for weeks or months with no offers, you may want to entertain a bid from a buyer who hasn’t gotten mortgage preapproval. If that individual can pay in cash, the offer may be pa
rticularly appealing.
Discuss the offer with your real estate agent, gather as much information as possible and consider the local housing market overall. Your agent can help you figure out if you should accept the bid or if you would be better off waiting for an offer from a buyer who has mortgage financing already lined up.
Where to Get a Mortgage Preapproval
Our friends at Pam Cleary’s Movement Mortgage can walk you through the mortgage preapproval process. Their knowledgeable and friendly experts can help you lockdown a mortgage for the home of your dreams. For more useful tips and mortgage information, contact Pam Cleary at Movement Mortgage today by visiting her website. You can also visit her at 7773 S. Suncoast Blvd., in Homosassa, Florida. Call her directly at (352) 634-0716.
Your Citrus County Housing Market Specialists
With homebuyer competition heating up, our agents can help you navigate Citrus County’s HOT real estate market. Contact Next Generation Realty in Sugarmill Woods or Crystal River, Florida. Their real estate experts will help you find the perfect home in Citrus County. Speak with a professional today: Sugarmill Woods (352) 382-2700 or Crystal River (352) 794-6100.
