Once their savings felt stable, they didn't go to open houses first. Instead, they visited a lender to get a . This letter proved to sellers they were "serious" and could actually afford the price tags they were looking at.
A credit score of 620 or higher is standard, but 720+ unlocks the best interest rates.
Buying a home is often compared to a marathon, but it is more like an epic quest where preparation is the difference between victory and a very expensive "Game Over." To buy a house, you generally need a , a pre-approval letter , and enough cash for a down payment and closing costs .