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Note to Homebuyers: A Solid Pre-Approval Letter is Key

Learn how a pre-approval can be helpful during the homebuying process.

Note to Homebuyers A Solid Pre Approval Letter is Key

With many homes drawing multiple offers within a few days or even just hours after hitting the market, real estate agents are advising would-be buyers to nail down a solid mortgage loan pre-approval before they start looking.

“Pre-approval is extremely important in a competitive market,” said Alexis Ruzell, with Realty Executives Integrity on the North Shore. “And it’s important to know what kind of pre-approval you are getting. Are you getting one the bank will stand behind?”

 There is a big difference between “pre-qualification” and pre-approval.  Pre-qualification is typically something you can get without anybody actually checking your credit and reviewing your income versus your debts. It’s a ballpark estimate of your buying power. Pre-approval is based on verification of income, assets and credit.

 


With a solid pre-approval, you can make an offer with the confidence that, if it fits the parameters of the pre-approval we’ve given you, you’ll be able to get the mortgage.”

Getting pre-approved doesn’t have to be time-consuming, he added, noting that visitors to the North Shore Bank website can obtain a pre-approval letter 24 hours a day. The bank’s data processing system instantly verifies information submitted by the applicant, pulls credit scores from third-party databases, determines if you qualify for the loan amount submitted, and generates a pre-approval letter for that amount – in other words, exactly the same steps that would occur with an in-person application.

“There’s no waiting time when it comes to making an offer,” said Ruzell. “You need to come to the table with your financing arrangements in order.” 

 

FAQs

Yes, you can easily schedule an appointment at any of our offices or with one of our Mortgage Loan Officers through our online scheduling tool.

Yes, you can add your contactless debit card to your digital wallet.


Watch a video tutorial or view a click-through demo.

My Card Manager shows the most recent 50 debit card transactions posted within the last 30 days. Additional history can be viewed within the Accounts menu.

Sometimes a merchant will pre-authorize the card for an amount that may be more than the spend limit you allow on the card. In this case, your card will be denied.

When you use North Shore Bank's personal Mobile App or Online Banking to transfer money, there may be a fee depending on the type of transfer:
  • Standard transfers to an external account are free
  • Next-day transfers to an external account incur a $3 fee per transfer
  • There is no fee for transferring money into your North Shore Bank accounts from an external financial institution
  • There is also no fee for transferring money between North Shore Bank accounts