"A mortgage pre-approval is one of the smartest first steps in the home-buying process. Your lender reviews your income, assets, employment, and credit history to estimate how much you may qualify to borrow.

Knowing your budget before house hunting keeps your search focused and helps prevent disappointment. Sellers also appreciate offers from pre-approved buyers because they know financing has already been reviewed.

A pre-approval doesn't lock you into a loan, but it gives you confidence and helps identify any financial issues early in the process."