When you’re buying a home, the strength of your approval can make all the difference—especially in a competitive market. There are three common steps in the mortgage approval process: prequalification, preapproval, and upfront underwriting approval. While many lenders stop early in the process, we go further to give you the clarity and confidence you deserve from the start.

Prequalification
This is the most basic level of approval. It’s typically based on a conversation with a loan officer or an online form where you share estimates of your income, assets, and credit. There’s no verification, and no one has reviewed your documentation. It gives you a general idea of what you might qualify for—but it’s far from a solid green light.

Preapproval
With preapproval, your lender collects some documentation—like pay stubs, W-2s, and a credit report—and gives you a conditional approval. This step is more reliable than prequalification and can strengthen your offer, but there are still gaps. Many lenders don’t go deeper to verify all details upfront, which can lead to surprises or delays later in the process.

Upfront Underwriting Approval (we offer this before contract!)
This is a full review of your loan file by a professional underwriter before you go under contract. Your income, credit, assets, and documentation are thoroughly reviewed and verified upfront—just like they would be for a final loan approval. This level of diligence gives you the most accurate picture of your buying power and removes guesswork early on. It also makes your offer stronger in the eyes of sellers and can speed up your closing timeline.