Pre-Approval
Pre-qualify in 60 seconds.
Soft credit pull. No spam. A licensed loan officer reaches out within one business day.
24–48 hour turnaround
A real loan officer reviews every application, usually same business day.
No credit hit
Pre-qualification uses a soft pull. Zero impact on your FICO.
Backed by AMS
A 30+ year licensed broker with access to dozens of wholesale lenders.
Pre-qualification vs. pre-approval
Most New Jersey buyers start with a pre-qualification to see their range, then move to a full pre-approval before they make offers. They are not the same thing.
Pre-qualification
- A quick estimate from what you tell us
- Soft credit pull, no impact on your score
- Good for setting a realistic price range
- Not verified, so it carries less weight with sellers
Pre-approval
- A full application with documents
- Income, assets, and credit verified
- Underwriting review before the letter is issued
- Letter you attach to offers, which sellers take more seriously
How it works
Step 1
Start with the quick form
Tell us about the home you want and your finances. It uses a soft credit pull, so there is no impact on your score.
Step 2
A loan officer reaches out
A licensed loan officer reviews your answers and calls to talk through programs, down payment, and what you can comfortably afford.
Step 3
Send your documents
We send a checklist. Once your income, assets, and credit are verified, the file goes to underwriting review.
Step 4
Get your pre-approval letter
Your agent includes the letter with offers. When you find the house, we update it for the exact price and program.
What you will need
- Pay stubs from the last 30 days
- W-2s or tax returns for the last 2 years
- Bank statements for the last 2 months
- A photo ID
- Self-employed? Ask us about the bank statement program, which can replace tax returns
Why get pre-approved before you shop
- You know your real price range before you fall in love with a house.
- Agents and sellers take offers with a pre-approval letter more seriously.
- Problems with credit, income documentation, or a condo show up early, while there is time to fix them.
- First-time buyer? We can structure NJHMFA down payment assistance into your pre-approval from the start.
Pre-approval questions
What is the difference between pre-qualification and pre-approval?
Pre-qualification is a quick estimate based on information you provide, and ours uses a soft credit pull. Pre-approval is a full application: we verify your income, assets, and credit, and an underwriter reviews the file before you get a letter to use with offers.
Does getting pre-approved hurt my credit score?
Our pre-qualification uses a soft pull and has no impact on your score. A full pre-approval includes a credit check. Credit scoring models generally treat multiple mortgage inquiries made in a short shopping window as a single inquiry, so comparing lenders does not have to cost you points.
What do I need to get pre-approved?
Pay stubs from the last 30 days, W-2s or tax returns for the last two years, two months of bank statements, and a photo ID. Self-employed buyers can often use a bank statement program instead of tax returns. We send you a checklist so nothing is missed.
How long does a pre-approval last?
It varies by lender and file. Letters commonly expire after 60 to 90 days, because your income, assets, and credit are only verified as of a point in time. If you are still shopping when it expires, ask your loan officer to update it.
Is a pre-approval a guarantee that I will get the loan?
No. It is a strong indication of what you can borrow, but the final loan is still subject to the property, an appraisal, full underwriting, and no material changes to your finances before closing.
Can I get pre-approved if I am self-employed or have a lower credit score?
Often yes. Bank statement loans use 12 to 24 months of deposits instead of tax returns, and FHA loans can work with lower credit scores. A loan officer will look at the whole picture and tell you what fits.
Run the numbers first with the mortgage calculator, or browse all our mortgage FAQs.
Video
Watch: quick answers from our team.
The views expressed are the opinions of the speakers and are for general informational purposes only. They should not be construed as legal, tax or financial advice. Rates, terms and examples shown are for illustration only, are subject to change, and are not a commitment to lend. Subject to credit approval and underwriting.