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Mortgage Pre-Approval
The mortgage pre-approval process is straightforward but has a couple nuances
What’s the Difference?
Here’s a quick side-by-side comparison:
Pre-Qualification
Pre-Approval
Income Verified?
No
Yes
Credit check?
Sometimes
Yes
Lender commitment?
No
Yes
Makes offer stronger?
No
Yes
Timeline
1-2 Days
A few days
Needed to start home search?
No, but helpful
No, but helpful
While a pre-qualification may provide a quick way to at least get the ball rolling on a house search, it is the pre approval letter that will allow you to make a legitimate offer on a house when the time comes. It is generally good practice to get pre-approvals from three different lenders to compare rates and terms, and it also recommended to apply to these multiple lenders within a 45-day period to minimize the impact on your credit score as the multiple inquiries during this time frame are often treated as a single inquiry.
Client FAQs
There is no obligation or pressure to purchase within a specific timeframe. A qualified buyer’s agent will guide you through the process at your pace, whether you’re ready to make an offer immediately or simply exploring your options. The goal is to ensure you feel informed, confident, and fully prepared before making any commitment.
No, there is no fee whatsoever to utilize the platform.
Not at all. Submitting a request does not create any obligation to work with a referred agent. While we carefully vet the professionals on our platform and know you’ll be in good hands, you are always free to decide whether the relationship is the right fit for you.
Generally speaking, agents are paid through a commission, which is a percentage of the final sale price of a house, usually 2.5% to 3%. Your Realtor’s fee structure will always be made fully transparent to you before you begin working together.
Our agents undergo an extensive vetting process to ensure they meet Southlight’s high standards. For an in-depth overview of this criteria, please visit the ‘Standards’ section.
Our platform provides clients with direct access to Florida’s most highly recommended local real estate agents. Unlike traditional referral websites with open participation, our agents are hand-selected through a rigorous vetting process to ensure exceptional expertise, professionalism, and consistently outstanding client experiences.
