It is essential to first get pre-qualified for a mortgage before looking for a new home.  Most Realtors will ask you to get pre-approved and have all of your financing questions and concerns be answered before putting an offer on a property.  After speaking with a mortgage specialist, you will have all of the necessary information needed to find the home in your price range.  Here are 10 reasons why our team suggests that all of our clients get pre-approved for a mortgage:

1. Allows you to find the best loan program that matches your financial needs
2. Save time by establishing a realistic price range so you can focus on homes you can afford.
3. Show sellers and real estate agents you are serious.
4. Obtain a pre-approval letter from a local mortgage broker to present with your offer – pre-approved loan means you don’t need a financing contingency, which could give you the competitive edge when making your offer.
5. Make sure you are maximizing your tax write-offs by choosing the correct loan.
6. Investigate different down payment options and "points" versus "no points" options and take the time to understand the loan you will be getting.
7. If you are a first-time home buyer, you may qualify for special buyer programs that may allow you to afford a larger home for the money.
8. Gather all required paperwork now to avoid scrambling around later.
9. Discover whether you have credit problems or need to pay off debt.
10. Learn whether a single family home, condominium, units or TIC makes the most sense financially.

Please CLICK HERE to speak with our mortgage specialist John Little with SunTrust Mortgage.