What Does Pre-Approval Mean?
Pre-approval is a lender’s preliminary confirmation that they will approve your home loan once you locate the right property. Other names for this include conditional approval, indicative approval, or home seeker, with the terminology varying by the bank.
In essence, pre-approval signifies a bank’s commitment to lend you a specific sum, assuming you find a suitable property, and your financial situation remains stable.
Pre-approval empowers you to present robust offers with faster finance terms, facilitating an improved deal and swift acquisition of your dream home.
Remember, pre-approval from a bank or lender isn’t an assurance of loan approval. In some instances, it might not even be evaluated by the bank’s credit department or the Lenders Mortgage Insurer (LMI).
Why Pre-Approval Matters?
Pre-approval equips you with crucial insights:
- The lending amount you qualify for.
- Your required deposit amount.
- Your financial landscape post-acquisition.
- Your budget for the new home and the walk-away price you’re comfortable with.
Especially in a competitive property market, having pre-approval can be critical. Without it, first-home buyers may miss their ideal property due to a lack of organization and strong offer.
Lack of pre-approval might also lead to financial loss. If a property auction bid is successful, a 5% deposit must be paid immediately. However, if a subsequent loan application is rejected, the deposit could be at risk.
When to Seek Pre-Approval?
Pre-approval should be secured before browsing properties. Though not foolproof, pre-approval instills confidence in property offers and helps refine your property search to what you can realistically afford.
Understanding your financial capacity and potential loan repayments eliminates the frustration of pursuing unaffordable properties or falling in love with an out-of-budget house.
Pre-approval fuels the confidence needed to interact with real estate agents and negotiate on properties within your budget.
The Pre-Approval Loan Process with OzBroker
Here’s a breakdown of the steps:
- Complete a mortgage broker application form.
- Provide financial proofs, such as loans, credit cards, savings, and income.
- Discuss with the mortgage broker and select from various lenders and loan options.
- Submit your selected application and documentation to the broker.
- Receive home loan pre-approval from the lender.
The procedure may vary by bank and mortgage broker. At OzBroker, our process is thorough, ensuring reliable pre-approval:
- Free Initial Assessment: OzBroker quickly evaluates your financial aspirations, situation, and home loan eligibility, guiding your home-buying journey.
- Collecting Financial Information: This step involves gathering details about your contact, residential status, employment, income, assets, and liabilities. Additionally, supporting documents such as payslips, bank statements, and more will be collected securely.
- Credit Analysis: Our expert team conducts a systematic review. This includes checking your credit report, employment history, job, and income, and assessing your deposit. This analysis ensures your creditworthiness and loan eligibility.
OzBroker’s pre-approval guide is your essential tool for a seamless home-buying process. Know your budget, enhance your purchasing power, and secure the property you’ve always wanted with confidence.