Jimmy Miller- Intercap Lending

These two terms sound similar, but they are very different when it comes to buying a home.

Pre Qualification
A quick estimate based on self reported information. Helpful as a starting point, but not verified.

Pre Approval
A deeper review of income, credit, and assets. This is what sellers and agents take seriously.

In a competitive market, pre approval is what gives buyers confidence and credibility when making an offer.

If you are serious about buying, this is one of the most important steps to take early.

Refinancing can be a great move, but only if it makes sense for your timeline.

The key concept is break even.

Break even is the point where your monthly savings outweigh the cost of the refinance.

Here is how it works:

Take your total closing costs
Divide by your monthly savings
That gives you the number of months to break even

If you plan to stay in the home longer than that timeframe, the refinance may make sense.

If not, it could actually cost you money.

Understanding this number is one of the most important parts of making a smart refinance decision.