54. Where to Start to Buy a House: Step 3 - How to Get Pre-approved

Once you've had your planning meeting and found your realtor, the next step is getting pre-approved. But there's a real difference between pre-qualified and pre-approved, and most first-time buyers don't know it until it costs them the house. I'm walking through how to choose a trustworthy lender, exactly what documents they'll ask for, and the difference between a quick pre-qualification and a full pre-approval, so you're ready the moment the right home hits the market. Ready to take the first step of finding your first home? Connect with a FAME agent in your area (it's free!) WHAT YOU'LL LEARN TODAY: Why getting pre-approved is step three, not step one, and why the order actually matters How to find a trustworthy lender The real difference between a pre-qualification and a full pre-approval Exactly what documents your lender will ask for: bank statements, pay stubs, W-2s, and more How gift funds from family work in the pre-approval process Why you should tell your lender your actual monthly budget, not just take the number they approve you for How long your pre-approval lasts and how rate shopping with multiple lenders actually works RESOURCES MENTIONED: Find a First-Time Home Buyer Agent Home Buying 101 | Free Class How Much House Can I Afford | Workbook CONNECT WITH ME: Follow me on Instagram Visit my website CHAPTERS: 00:02 — Step three: finding a lender and getting pre-approved 02:11 — Why you need a lender referral (not just a Google search) 06:47 — Informal conversation vs. official pre-approval: your two options 07:56 — What documents your lender will actually ask for 09:44 — Pre-qualified vs. pre-approved: what's the real difference 11:24 — What you get back: your approval letter and closing cost estimate 12:56 — How long your pre-approval lasts (and when you'll need to redo it) 14:23 — When to start, and how to shop multiple lenders without hurting your credit