How to Get a Mortgage Pre-Approval
House hunting is often the exciting part of buying a home — touring neighborhoods, imagining possibilities, and finally stepping into places that feel like “the one.” The experience gets even better when you take one smart step before all the fun begins: getting pre-approved.
Heading into 2026, the housing market is still competitive, inventory moves quickly, and sellers expect buyers to show genuine readiness. A strong pre-approval helps you stand out, gives you clarity on your budget, and makes the entire process smoother from start to finish.
Here’s what pre-approval means today, why it matters more than ever, and how Netter Lending keeps the process streamlined and stress-free.
What Is a Mortgage Pre-Approval?
A mortgage pre-approval is a lender’s verified estimate of how much you can borrow based on your financial information. Think of it as your buying power in writing.
At Netter Lending, you can begin your pre-approval online in minutes. Our system securely reviews your details, evaluates your financial profile, and provides a reliable pre-approval amount that’s typically valid for 60–90 days.
A pre-approval isn’t the final loan decision — you’ll still need underwriting, an appraisal, and final review. Any major financial changes after pre-approval can affect your final approval.
Why You Should Get Pre-Approved in 2026
Market conditions shift from month to month, but one truth remains: sellers trust pre-approved buyers. A verified pre-approval has real leverage.
With a Netter Lending pre-approval:
You shop for homes within a realistic budget.
You immediately stand out as a serious, qualified buyer.
Sellers feel more confident negotiating with you.
You get a huge head start on your loan application.
In a market where homes can get multiple offers within days, being pre-approved is no longer optional — it’s your competitive edge.
How Netter Lending Helps You Get Pre-Approved
Here’s what we evaluate to issue your pre-approval:
Verified income
Employment history
Credit profile
Assets and bank statements
Debt-to-income ratio
Government-issued identification
If you’re self-employed or have non-traditional income, we may also request recent tax returns or additional proof of earnings.
Once we receive everything, our team reviews your information quickly and clearly, so you can start home shopping with confidence.
Pre-Approval vs. Pre-Qualification
The two terms sound similar, but they are very different.
Pre-qualification is a quick estimate based on self-reported numbers.
Pre-approval is verified, documented, and respected by sellers.
Netter Lending offers both, but pre-approval is the one you want when it’s time to make offers.
Pre-Approval vs. Final Approval
Pre-approval lets you shop. Final approval lets you close.
2026 loan processing typically follows this path:
Conditional approval
— After underwriting reviews your file, the underwriter may request additional documents.Final approval
— Issued when all conditions are met, your appraisal is complete, and third-party items such as title and insurance are cleared.
Depending on your loan type and how quickly documents are provided, this can take anywhere from a couple of weeks to longer if complexities arise.
Start Your Pre-Approval Early
Preparation is one of the biggest advantages you can have in today’s housing market. Pre-approval gives you clarity, negotiating strength, and the ability to move quickly when you find the right home.
Netter Lending’s 2026 pre-approval process is fast, transparent, and built to remove stress from financing so you can focus on finding the place you’ll call home.
Thinking about buying soon or planning a refinance?
Your pre-approval is just a few steps away — and Netter Lending will be with you through every part of the journey.
