As with much of the real estate industry, the mortgage industry uses terms that sound great, but really are not what they sound like. The loan prequalification is such a phrase.
Loan Prequalification A Potential Trap
If you have shopped for a home, you know all the interesting terms people use to describe their property. A cozy home can be translated to mean the home is essentially a closet with a bathroom. A rustic home often means the place is so decrepit, scientist study it to see if it is breaking the laws of physics by remaining upright. I am sure you have more than a few examples of your own.
In the mortgage world, loan prequalification is an activity and phrase that is interesting. The basic idea is a buyer goes to a lender prior to shopping for a home and attempts to determine what they can borrow. The lender does a cursory interview and maybe looks a paycheck stub. The lender representative then declares that buyer is prequalified for a certain amount. With letter in hand, the buyer heads out to find that unique property that is just right.
While this all may sound great, there is a serious problem. A prequalification determination by a...