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Soft-Pull Estimate

Mortgage Prequalification in Minutes — Free & Online

Get a mortgage prequalification online in about five minutes and see your estimated loan amount, monthly payment, and rate range across FHA, VA, USDA, and Conventional loan programs. When you’re ready to shop, upgrade to a fully verified mortgage pre-approval with our team.

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Quick answerSummary
  • ✓Free online mortgage prequalification — typically 5–15 minutes*
  • ✓Soft credit pull only — no impact on your FICO score
  • ✓Instant estimated max loan amount, monthly payment, and rate range
  • ✓Compare FHA, VA, USDA, and Conventional programs side by side
  • ✓Upgrade to a verified, underwriter-reviewed pre-approval whenever you’re ready
  • ✓No fees, no obligation, no spam calls
SA

Written by

Simply Approved Mortgages Team

Licensed Loan Officers · NMLS# 2620881

11 min read·Independently researched · No paid product placement

Start your free mortgage prequalification — soft pull, no FICO impact

A Simply Approved Mortgages Loan Officer reviews your stated income, debts, and target price and returns an estimated loan amount typically within minutes. Not a quote, lock, offer, or commitment to lend.

Start My ApprovalSee Today's Rates

Mortgage prequalification by the numbers

Why prequalifying first makes home shopping simpler

88%

of buyers financed their purchase

National Association of REALTORS® — 2024 Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers.

0 pts

FICO impact from a soft credit pull

Soft inquiries are invisible to other lenders and do not affect your credit score per FICO scoring rules.

5–15 min

typical time to prequalify online*

Complete the short form and get an estimated max loan amount and rate range in minutes.

Sources: NAR 2024 Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers; myFICO.com credit-education content; CFPB consumer guidance. Individual results vary. Statistics are for educational context, not a quote or commitment to lend.

What a mortgage prequalification actually is

A mortgage prequalification is a lender’s first, informal estimate of how much you may be able to borrow. It relies on stated income, debt, and asset numbers you self-report, plus (in our case) an optional soft credit pull that does not affect your FICO score. The CFPB explicitly distinguishes prequalification from pre-approval: prequalification is a starting estimate; pre-approval is a verified, conditional commitment based on documented income, assets, credit, and automated underwriting findings.

Prequalification is the on-ramp to buying a home. It is not a quote, a rate lock, an offer, an approval, or a commitment to lend. Binding rate and cost figures appear only on your official Loan Estimate (LE), which the CFPB’s TRID rule requires within 3 business days of a completed application on a specific property. Ready to get your free prequalification? Or upgrade straight to a verified pre-approval if you’re actively making offers.

Prequalification vs pre-approval vs underwritten (TBD) pre-approval

Side-by-side flow diagram: Prequalification (form → soft credit pull → estimate letter, 5–15 minutes) vs Pre-Approval (documents → hard credit pull → underwriter review → verified letter, ~24 hours)
Prequalification vs pre-approval — the two commitment tiers underwriters and listing agents recognize.
PrequalificationPre-approvalUnderwritten (TBD)
Credit pulledSoft (or none)Hard (typically fewer than 5 pts)Hard
Income verifiedSelf-reported onlyDocuments reviewedDocuments reviewed by an underwriter
AUS run (DU/LPA)NoYesYes + manual review
Sellers trust it?RarelyYesOften treated like a cash offer
Typical time5–15 minutes*~24 hours*~3–5 business days*
Best used forEarly budgeting & program comparisonWriting real offersWinning multiple-offer bids

Why the difference matters: underwriters and listing agents weigh evidence, not intent. A prequalification proves you’ve thought about it; a pre-approval proves a lender has looked at real documents. Both are useful — at different stages.

Who should prequalify (and who should skip straight to pre-approval)

  • Prequalify if you are 60–180 days from writing an offer, still deciding a price range, evaluating rent-vs-buy, comparing FHA vs Conventional vs VA, or want to check your credit health without a hard inquiry.
  • Skip to pre-approval if you have a real estate agent, are actively touring homes, plan to make an offer within 30–60 days, or the listing agents you’ve met require a verified letter before scheduling showings.

How lenders calculate your prequalification number

Even at the estimate stage, we use real underwriting math — just against the numbers you state instead of documents. The four levers that move your prequalification amount:

  • Gross monthly income. Base pay, self-employment net income (after write-backs), commission, bonus, overtime, and qualifying other income per Fannie Mae Selling Guide B3-3.
  • Monthly debts. Every payment on your credit report counts toward debt-to-income (DTI). Most Qualified Mortgage loans target a back-end DTI at or below 43% per CFPB Regulation Z / QM rules, with room to ~50% for strong compensating factors and AUS approval.
  • Down payment & program. A 3.5% FHA down payment produces a different max price than 20% Conventional. We estimate across the programs you may qualify for so you can compare cleanly.
  • Estimated rate. Rates are illustrative and based on prevailing pricing benchmarks (see the Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey). Your final rate depends on credit, LTV, program, and pricing at the time of lock — not a quote, lock, offer, or commitment to lend.

Soft credit pull vs hard credit pull

Prequalification uses a soft pull: it accesses your credit report and score but is invisible to other lenders and does not change your FICO score. Pre-approval uses a hard pull, which typically drops FICO fewer than 5 points — and multiple mortgage-related hard pulls within 45 days count as a single inquiry for scoring, per FICO’s rate-shopping rules. If you’d rather see the raw report first, our credit partner MyITINCredit.com can pull it for you.

Today's rate snapshot

Rate ranges we're seeing right now

Illustrative benchmark rates from the Freddie Mac PMMS and MND. Not a quote, lock, offer, or commitment to lend — your rate depends on credit, LTV, program, and pricing at the time of lock. Binding figures appear on your Loan Estimate.

Today's rates

Live ratesLive pricing. Rates are retrieved from our pricing provider when you run a scenario.

Real rates — your scenario, not a guess

Today's rate options below refresh twice each business day from our wholesale pricing engine; run your own scenario in the pricing tool. National survey averages below give you market context — they're not Simply Approved's pricing.

Our live pricing engine

See your real rate — for your scenario, in our pricing tool

Pull live, scenario-specific pricing from our wholesale pricing engine. Your binding rate and APR are confirmed on your Loan Estimate after a quick file review.

See My Live Rate →

Pricing snapshot

Live ratesLive pricing. Rates are retrieved from our pricing provider when you run a scenario.

Today's Mortgage Rate Options at a Glance

Four real options from today's wholesale pricing for one documented sample scenario per program — no form needed. Updated twice each business day, about 10 AM and 2 PM Eastern. Your own rate depends on your credit, down payment, property, state and lock date.

National market context

Freddie Mac PMMS — weekly U.S. averages

Source: Freddie Mac PMMS (PMMS_history.csv)

Loading latest PMMS averages…

PMMS figures shown above are Freddie Mac's national survey averages, published weekly by Freddie Mac (PMMS_history.csv) — they are not Simply Approved Mortgages' rates, not a quote, not a lock, and not an offer or commitment to lend. Your actual rate, APR, and payment depend on credit profile, loan program, occupancy, LTV, DTI, property type, lock period, and current market pricing at the time of lock. Your binding figures appear on your Loan Estimate. Simply Approved Mortgages LLC · NMLS# 2620881 · Equal Housing Opportunity.

Why this matters: your prequalification payment estimate is only as accurate as the rate assumption underneath it. Checking the live Freddie Mac PMMS number keeps your budget grounded in this week's real pricing — not last month's headline.

Purchase market update

What buyers should know this month

November 2026

30-Yr Fixed · national avg

—

Loading PMMS…

15-Yr Fixed · national avg

—

Loading PMMS…

2026 buying power

Conforming baseline: $832,750
FHA floor / ceiling: $541,287 – $1,249,125

What it means for purchase buyers in November 2026: Conventional fixed rates move weekly with the bond market, so the number you see today is the national average — not your locked rate. Federal loan limits for 2026 are published by FHFA and HUD; high-cost counties carry higher caps. Page reviewed November 2026 (2026 program year). Sources: Freddie Mac PMMS, FHFA, HUD. Individual results vary.

HUD income limits

Do you qualify for income-capped programs?

Many first-time-buyer and down-payment-assistance programs (HomeReady, Home Possible, USDA, Section 184, state DPAs) cap eligibility at a percentage of Area Median Income (AMI). Check your county's official HUD number before you prequalify so we can steer you into the lowest-cost program you qualify for.

2026 HUD Income Limits · Area Median Income (AMI)

Do you qualify for down-payment or low-income mortgage programs?

Many affordability programs — HomeReady, Home Possible, most state and local down-payment assistance, USDA, and HUD Section 8 — use HUD's published Area Median Income (AMI) to set eligibility. Compare your household income to the AMI for your area below. Figures are the 4-person household values published by HUD for 2026.

HomeReady and Home Possible cap qualifying income at 80% of AMI for most census tracts. USDA Guaranteed uses moderate-income limits (typically 115% of AMI, published separately). Down-payment assistance programs vary by state and program. Values above are HUD's published 2026 4-person figures; household-size adjustments apply. Not a commitment to lend; eligibility is confirmed at underwriting. Source: HUD USER Income Limits 2026 .

How Simply Approved Mortgages prequalifies you in 5 steps

  1. 1

    Tell us about you (5 min)

    Income, monthly debts, down payment, and target price. No documents required.
  2. 2

    Soft credit pull (60 sec)

    Optional but recommended. Invisible to other lenders. No FICO impact.
  3. 3

    Get your instant estimate

    Estimated max loan amount, monthly payment range, and rate range across programs you may qualify for.
  4. 4

    Speak with a Simply Approved Mortgages Loan Officer (optional)

    Walk through DTI, program trade-offs, and next steps — no cost, no obligation.
  5. 5

    Upgrade when ready

    Convert your prequal into a verified, underwriter-reviewed pre-approval when you’re actively shopping.
Expert Insight
Prequalification is the on-ramp; pre-approval is the highway. Start here if you’re still budgeting, but don’t make offers on a prequal alone — in every market we work, listing agents sort out prequal-only offers first. When it’s time to write, upgrade to a verified pre-approval with a Simply Approved Mortgages Loan Officer.
Simply Approved Mortgages Team
Licensed Loan Officers • NMLS# 2620881

When prequalification is the right call

✓

You’re 60+ days from buying

You want a working budget before you tour homes.

✓

You’re comparing programs

See how FHA, VA, USDA, and Conventional stack up for your scenario.

✓

Your credit is borderline

A soft pull surfaces fixes without burning a hard inquiry.

✓

You’re self-employed

We model income with and without write-back adjustments so you know both sides.

✓

You’re on a rent-vs-buy fence

Estimated payment vs current rent makes the decision with data, not guesses.

✓

You want a soft credit health check

See your FICO tier and DTI without any score impact.

Credit Documentation & Monitoring

Credit Reports and Credit Monitoring for mortgage prequalification

Credit is one of the four underwriting buckets every lender reviews — and one of the few you can actively improve before you apply. Monitoring your credit throughout the process helps you catch errors, fraud, and score changes early, which protects your approval timeline and your rate.

Step 1 · Lender Pull

Ordering Credit for Your Pre-Approval File

Once you sign your loan application (Form 1003) and disclosures, your Simply Approved Mortgages Loan Officer orders a tri-merge residential mortgage credit report (RMCR) from Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. This is a hard inquiry, but FICO's model treats mortgage inquiries within a 45-day window as a single event, so shopping lenders during that window will not stack on your score.

  • What we need from you: signed borrower authorization, government-issued photo ID, Social Security number (or ITIN), and current address.
  • What the report shows underwriters: middle FICO score, open tradelines, minimum payments, late history, collections, public records, and recent inquiries.
  • How long it's valid: 120 days for conventional loans and for FHA/VA/USDA (HUD guidelines, VA Lender's Handbook Ch. 4). Older reports must be re-pulled before closing.
  • Rapid rescore: if a legitimate error is on your report, we can request a rapid rescore in 3–7 business days after you supply documentation from the creditor.
Pay for Your Credit Report →

This link redirects to our third-party credit vendor's payment portal. You pay the report fee directly so we can pull your tri-merge credit report for your pre-approval file. A credit pull is required for underwriting; this is not a commitment to lend.

Step 2 · Self-Check

Review and Monitor Your Credit at MyITINCredit.com

Before we pull your file, review and monitor your credit at MyITINCredit.com. Their $1 promotional trial gives you tri-bureau visibility plus ongoing credit monitoring so you can catch changes, disputes, or new accounts as they appear — not after they've already delayed your loan.

  • Verify accuracy: confirm names, addresses, SSN/ITIN, and every open account belong to you.
  • Dispute errors: the Fair Credit Reporting Act gives you the right to dispute inaccurate items directly with the bureau — no charge.
  • Address collections and charge-offs: a settled or paid collection can be documented in advance so it does not stall underwriting.
  • Pay down utilization: credit-card balances reported below 30% of the limit typically produce the strongest scores.
  • Avoid new credit: do not open new cards, finance a car, or co-sign for anyone from now through closing.
  • Monitor continuously: credit monitoring alerts you to new inquiries, balance changes, and potential identity theft while your loan is in process.
Check & Monitor Your Credit at MyITINCredit.com →

MyITINCredit.com is a service operated by Simply Approved Corporation (a DBA of that entity), which is the parent company of Simply Approved Mortgages LLC. Simply Approved Mortgages may receive subscription revenue if you choose to enroll. Credit monitoring through MyITINCredit.com is optional and is not required to apply for or obtain a mortgage with us. Promotional pricing, trial terms, and monitoring features are set by MyITINCredit.com and subject to change.

Why credit monitoring matters during a mortgage — A single new collection, missed payment, or unauthorized inquiry can change your qualifying score or trigger additional underwriting conditions. Typical minimum scores* — Conventional 620, FHA 580 (3.5% down) or 500 (10% down), VA no HUD minimum (most lenders 580–620), USDA typically 640, Jumbo 680–740, Doctor Mortgage 680–700+, Non-QM/DSCR varies by program, ITIN 620–680 alternative credit. Investor and lender overlays apply; individual results vary. Not a commitment to lend.

How long a prequalification is valid

Most mortgage prequalification letters are valid 30–60 days from the credit-pull date. When your prequalification expires, we refresh income and debts and (if applicable) re-run a soft pull — no additional FICO impact — and re-issue an updated estimate.

Upgrading from prequalification to pre-approval

When you’re close to writing an offer, we convert your prequalification into a verified pre-approval. That means a hard credit pull, verified income (pay stubs, W-2s, and — when applicable — tax transcripts via IRS Form 4506-C), verified assets (2 months of bank statements, all pages), and an automated underwriting decision from Fannie Mae Desktop Underwriter or Freddie Mac Loan Product Advisor. The output is a letter listing agents actually trust.

Common prequalification mistakes to avoid

  • Overstating income. Underwriting will only credit what pay stubs, W-2s, and tax returns support — stating more only sets an unrealistic ceiling.
  • Forgetting debts pulled from the credit report. Student loans in deferment, cosigned auto loans, and authorized-user cards all count toward DTI.
  • Ignoring taxes, insurance, HOA, and MI. Your monthly PITI is not just principal & interest. We model the full payment, not just P&I.
  • Making offers on a prequal alone. Most listing agents will not accept a prequalification with a real offer. Upgrade to pre-approval first.
  • Opening new credit or financing purchases between prequalification and closing — it changes your DTI and can invalidate your final approval.

The honest trade-off

Mortgage prequalification pros and cons

Prequalification is the right first step for most buyers — but it isn’t a substitute for a real pre-approval. Here’s the straight read on both sides.

Pros

  • +

    No FICO impact.

    A soft credit pull is invisible to other lenders and does not change your credit score.

  • +

    Fast — typically 5–15 minutes.*

    Answer a short form and get an estimated max loan amount, payment, and rate range in minutes.

  • +

    No documents required.

    Income, debts, and down payment are self-reported. Documents come later, at pre-approval.

  • +

    Compare programs side by side.

    See how FHA, VA, USDA, and Conventional differ for your exact income and down payment.

  • +

    Surface issues early.

    Credit or DTI problems show up while there is still time to fix them.

  • +

    Free and no obligation.

    No fees, no commitment, and you can walk away or shop other lenders.

Cons

  • !

    Not accepted with real offers.

    Most listing agents require a verified pre-approval letter, not a prequalification.

  • !

    Only as accurate as your stated numbers.

    If your stated income or debts differ from what documents show, your final amount can change.

  • !

    No AUS decision.

    Prequalification doesn’t run Fannie Mae DU or Freddie Mac LPA, so program-specific overlays aren’t evaluated.

  • !

    Not a rate lock or quote.

    Rates shown are illustrative only — binding pricing appears on your Loan Estimate.

  • !

    Short shelf life.

    Typically valid 30–60 days before income, debts, and credit need a refresh.

  • !

    Doesn’t protect against denial later.

    Pre-approval or contract-level underwriting can still surface issues a prequal can’t catch.

Illustrative scenarios

Mortgage prequalification examples — six real-world profiles

Six illustrative borrower profiles that show how a soft-pull prequalification plays out in practice. Figures are illustrative only and individual results vary.

Illustrative example

Profile

First-time buyer, 640 FICO, $75K income, $10K down

Best fit

FHA Prequalification

Estimated max ~$300K price at 3.5% down; buyer used the estimate to focus on homes under $310K before touring.

Illustrative example

Profile

W-2 buyer, 720 FICO, $120K income, $60K down

Best fit

Conventional Prequalification

Estimated max ~$525K price with 20% down and no MI; upgraded to pre-approval two weeks later.

Illustrative example

Profile

Self-employed, 700 FICO, 2 years tax returns

Best fit

Conventional Prequalification

Modeled income both with and without depreciation add-backs so the buyer knew realistic and stretch numbers.

Illustrative example

Profile

Veteran, 650 FICO, $0 down

Best fit

VA Prequalification

Estimated max ~$400K with residual income met; no MI and no down payment required with VA entitlement.

Illustrative example

Profile

Rural buyer, 660 FICO, $55K income

Best fit

USDA Prequalification

Property must be in a USDA-eligible area; estimated max ~$260K with 0% down and reduced MI.

Illustrative example

Profile

Rent-vs-buy shopper on the fence

Best fit

Multi-program Prequalification

Estimated payment at three price points across FHA and Conventional made the case to stop renting.

Illustrative borrower profiles for educational purposes only — not a quote, offer, approval, rate lock, or commitment to lend. Actual eligibility, pricing, and cash-to-close depend on full underwriting.

Wholesale advantage

Compare loan officer compensation on your mortgage quote

Loan officer compensation is part of the cost of a mortgage. On eligible residential loans, Simply Approved Mortgages generally uses 1.5% lender-paid compensation. Enter the compensation shown on another lender's Loan Estimate to see the difference in dollars.

Simply Approved Mortgages compensation (1.5%)$4,500
Quote you entered (2.75%)$8,250

Compensation difference on this illustration: $3,750.

How lower compensation can help you

Room for a lower rate

When less compensation is built into pricing, there can be room for a lower interest rate, which may lower your monthly payment.

Possible credits toward closing

Depending on the rate you choose, pricing can sometimes include a lender credit toward third-party closing costs, so you may bring less cash to closing.

More purchasing power

A lower rate means a lower monthly payment, which can lower your debt-to-income ratio and may help you qualify for more home on the same income.

Wholesale, not retail

As a mortgage broker we compare pricing from wholesale lenders instead of offering a single bank’s retail pricing.

Tip: On page 2 of your Loan Estimate, look at Section A, "Origination Charges." If the lender pays the loan officer, that compensation usually does not appear there as its own line; it is built into the interest rate. That is why comparing the rate and any lender credits side by side matters.

Get a second opinion on your Loan Estimate

Already have a Loan Estimate from another bank or broker? Share it with a Simply Approved Mortgages Loan Officer, who will compare the rate, fees and credits side by side with options we can arrange. No cost to request a review.

Illustration only — not a quote, lock, offer, or commitment to lend; binding figures appear on your Loan Estimate. Lender-paid compensation is paid by the lender, not directly by you, and is part of the loan's pricing, so the loan is not free of costs. A lower compensation figure does not by itself guarantee a lower rate or lower closing costs; individual results vary by credit, loan type, property and market conditions. Residential lending in FL and CO only. Simply Approved Mortgages LLC · NMLS #2620881 · Equal Housing Opportunity.

Mortgage Prequalification — Frequently Asked Questions

Answers to the most common mortgage prequalification questions, written by licensed loan officers.

Mortgage prequalification is a fast, informal estimate of how much home you may be able to afford, based on income, debts, assets, and (optionally) a soft credit pull. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) describes prequalification as a lender’s starting estimate that is not underwritten and not a commitment to lend.

People also ask

More mortgage prequalification questions we hear every week

Can I prequalify for a mortgage with no job?+
Yes, if you can document repayment ability from other sources. Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and FHA all allow retirement income, Social Security, VA disability, pension, alimony/child support, rental income, and (for asset-depletion loans) documented liquid assets. The income source must be verifiable and expected to continue at least three years.
Does prequalifying obligate me to work with the lender?+
No. A mortgage prequalification is not a contract. You are free to shop other lenders, walk away, or upgrade to a pre-approval later. No fees, no obligation, no penalty.
Will my prequalification amount be the same as my pre-approval amount?+
Often, but not always. Prequalification uses stated numbers; pre-approval uses verified numbers plus AUS findings. If any stated figure (income, debts, or credit) differs from the documented reality, your final pre-approval amount may go up or down.
Can I prequalify with a co-borrower?+
Yes. A co-borrower’s income can help you qualify, but their debts also count toward DTI. Credit is pulled on both borrowers and the lower middle FICO is typically used for pricing per Fannie Mae Selling Guide B3-5.1-02.
Do I need to prequalify before talking to a real estate agent?+
It is not required, but the National Association of REALTORS® recommends it. A prequalification gives your agent a working budget so you tour homes in the right price range and don’t fall in love with a house above what you can borrow.
What if my prequalification is denied?+
A denial usually means credit, DTI, or reserves need work. A Simply Approved Mortgages Loan Officer will explain the specific reason (required under FCRA / ECOA adverse-action notices) and lay out a step-by-step plan to become mortgage-eligible — often within 3–9 months.

Before you prequalify

See how much house you can actually afford

Run your income, debts, down payment, and target rate through our affordability calculator. It uses the same DTI, MI, tax, and insurance math a Simply Approved Mortgages Loan Officer runs on your file — so the number you see is the number your prequalification will start from.

Illustrative only — not a quote, lock, offer, or commitment to lend.

Open Affordability Calculator →Start My Approval
Prequalification Request

Ready to take the next step?

Pick your loan type and complete a short, tailored request on our secure application page. Your Simply Approved Mortgages Loan Officer follows up within one business day.

Start My Approval →See Today's RatesOr call 877-813-7219

No obligation. Soft-pull options may be available.*

Trusted government resources

These independent government resources can help you research mortgage programs, rates, and your rights before you apply.

Simply Approved Mortgages is not affiliated with HUD, the CFPB, the FTC, the VA, or any other government agency. Links are provided for your independent verification.

Prequalify for a Florida mortgage — by metro

Florida metro guides covering local median prices, Florida Housing and county DPA programs, closing costs, and property taxes. Start with a soft-pull prequalification, then upgrade to a verified pre-approval in your target city.

St. Petersburg, FL
Median: $395,000
Pre-approval guide →
Miami, FL
Median: $620,000
Pre-approval guide →
Orlando, FL
Median: $430,000
Pre-approval guide →
Tampa, FL
Median: $420,000
Pre-approval guide →
Jacksonville, FL
Median: $380,000
Pre-approval guide →
Fort Lauderdale, FL
Median: $560,000
Pre-approval guide →

Prequalify for a Colorado mortgage — by metro

Colorado metro guides covering local median prices, CHFA and city DPA programs, closing costs, and mill-levy property taxes. Start with a soft-pull prequalification, then upgrade to a verified pre-approval along the Front Range or Western Slope.

Denver, CO
Median: $580,000
Pre-approval guide →
Colorado Springs, CO
Median: $490,000
Pre-approval guide →
Aurora, CO
Median: $475,000
Pre-approval guide →
Fort Collins, CO
Median: $530,000
Pre-approval guide →
Lakewood, CO
Median: $565,000
Pre-approval guide →
Boulder, CO
Median: $850,000
Pre-approval guide →

Explore the full guide

Keep reading — the rest of the buying playbook

Each of these is a deep-dive on one piece of the purchase mortgage process. Bookmark whichever you need next.

Guide

Mortgage Pre-Approval

The verified, underwriter-reviewed letter listing agents actually trust.

Read the guide →

Guide

How Much Home Can I Afford?

Real DTI, taxes, insurance, and reserves against your income.

Read the guide →

Guide

First-Time Home Buyer Guide

Programs, grants, and the exact playbook for buying your first home.

Read the guide →

Guide

Purchase Mortgage Programs

FHA, VA, USDA, Conventional, Jumbo, Doctor, 1%-Down, DSCR — compared.

Read the guide →

Guide

Closing Costs Explained

Every closing cost line item — and how to lower it.

Read the guide →

Guide

FHA Loans

The 580-score, 3.5%-down path to homeownership.

Read the guide →

Guide

Document Checklist

Everything an underwriter will ask for at pre-approval — pulled into one list.

Read the guide →

Guide

Today's Mortgage Rates

Live rate snapshot across FHA, VA, USDA, Conventional, and Jumbo programs.

Read the guide →

Guide

Mortgage Calculator

Full PITI with taxes, insurance, HOA, and MI — model any scenario.

Read the guide →
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From the Blog

Mortgage insights & guides

Plain-language articles to help you understand the home loan process, save on closing costs, and make confident decisions.

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Apr 30, 20265 min read

Simplify Your Mortgage Journey with These Resources

Home Value Report
Check Your Credit
Mortgage Calculator
Home Affordability Calculator
Pay for my Credit Report
Mortgage Document Checklist
Down Payment Assistance
Native American Home Loans
FHA Loan Limits
See Today's Rates
Refinance Guide
Pre-Approval Request

Start My Approval

Complete this short request and a Simply Approved Mortgages Loan Officer will personally review your scenario. The form only asks what your program actually needs. Submitting it is not an application for credit and is not a commitment to lend.

What are you looking to do?

Pick one — the form adapts.

Pick a loan type

Programs for buying a home.
Government & conventional
Specialty credit
Build & renovate

Conventional loan — 3–20% down · 620+ FICO

Tell us about your scenario

The form below is tailored to Conventional loan — only the questions and documents your program needs.

Step 1 of 2 · about 90 seconds
See your options — one short screen
Encrypted connection (HTTPS) NMLS# 2620881 Equal Housing Opportunity

Simply Approved Mortgages LLC is licensed to arrange residential mortgage loans in Florida and Colorado only. We ask first so we never collect a mortgage inquiry we are not licensed to act on.

Purchase price and down payment help us size the conforming loan.

What's your goal?
Purchase price$450,000
$
Down payment (10.0%)$45,000
$

A range is enough here — no credit report is pulled and your credit is not affected.

Estimated monthly payment at these numbers
$3,431

Illustrative estimate only — not a quote, rate lock, offer of credit, or commitment to lend.

Submitting this form is not an application for credit and is not a commitment to lend. No credit report is pulled at this step.

No obligation to apply Encrypted connection Verify NMLS# 2620881
Equal Housing OpportunityEqual Housing OpportunityMortgage Broker — Not a LenderNMLS ID# 2620881NMLS Consumer AccessFlorida Mortgage Broker License #MBR7685Colorado Mortgage Company Registration

Licensing & Disclosures

Simply Approved Mortgages LLC | NMLS #2620881

Florida Branch Office (Miami, FL) | Branch NMLS #2688012

Florida Mortgage Broker License #MBR7685 | Colorado Mortgage Company Registration

Business Phone: (877) 813-7219

Equal Housing Opportunity

Broker identification. Simply Approved Mortgages LLC is a mortgage broker and is not a direct lender. We arrange residential mortgage loans with third-party wholesale lenders and do not make the lender's final credit decision or fund the loan. We arrange residential mortgage loans in Florida and Colorado. Business-purpose mortgage products may be arranged in additional states only where permitted by applicable law and pursuant to applicable licensing requirements or exemptions.

Credit and program terms. All loans are subject to lender credit approval, underwriting, acceptable appraisal or valuation when required, title review, insurance, and supporting documentation. Eligibility, programs, rates, APRs, points, lender credits, fees, payments, terms, loan amounts, down-payment requirements, mortgage insurance, and availability may vary based on borrower, property, occupancy, credit profile, loan-to-value ratio, debt-to-income ratio, lender, loan program, and state and may change without notice. Not all applicants, properties, products, or programs will qualify or be available in every state. Nothing on this site constitutes a loan approval, rate lock, offer, commitment to lend, guarantee of approval, or guarantee of terms or closing.

Rates, payments and calculators. Rates, APRs, payments, down payments, loan amounts, home values, estimated equity, savings, affordability estimates, closing costs, and other calculator or scenario results displayed on this site are estimates or illustrations unless expressly stated otherwise. Actual loan terms may differ. Taxes, homeowners insurance, mortgage insurance, association dues, lender charges, broker compensation, discount points, third-party charges, and other costs may apply. Advertised rates, payments, APRs, down payments, and other credit terms are subject to the assumptions and disclosures presented with the applicable advertisement. Applicable loan terms and disclosures will be provided as required for the particular transaction.

Mortgage products. FHA, VA, USDA, conventional, jumbo, non-QM, HELOC, reverse mortgage, down-payment-assistance, investment-property, DSCR, and other mortgage products referenced on this site are subject to their individual eligibility, underwriting, property, occupancy, and program requirements. Product availability varies by lender and jurisdiction. References to a mortgage product or program do not constitute a determination that a borrower or property qualifies.

Government-backed programs. Government-backed or government-insured mortgage programs referenced on this site may be subject to requirements established by the applicable government agency in addition to lender requirements. Government insurance or guaranties generally protect participating lenders against certain losses and do not constitute a guarantee of borrower approval.

Business-purpose products. DSCR, investment-property, and other business-purpose mortgage products referenced on this site are intended for qualifying business-purpose transactions. Business-purpose loans may be subject to different requirements and protections than consumer-purpose residential mortgage loans. Borrowers are responsible for accurately disclosing property occupancy and intended use.

Down payment assistance. Down payment or closing-cost assistance programs referenced on this site may be administered by governmental entities, housing finance agencies, nonprofit organizations, lenders, or other third parties. Program availability, funding, assistance amounts, eligibility requirements, repayment or forgiveness provisions, and other terms vary and may change or become unavailable without notice. Listing or referencing a program does not guarantee funding, eligibility, or mortgage approval.

Government affiliation. Simply Approved Mortgages LLC is not a government agency and is not affiliated with, acting on behalf of, sponsored by, or endorsed by HUD, FHA, VA, USDA, or any other federal, state, or local government agency. References to government agencies, programs, benefits, data, forms, or resources are provided for informational purposes and do not imply government sponsorship or endorsement of Simply Approved Mortgages LLC.

Fair lending. Equal Housing Opportunity. Simply Approved Mortgages LLC conducts business in accordance with applicable federal and state fair-housing and equal-credit-opportunity laws and does not discriminate on any prohibited basis.

No professional advice. Content on this site is educational and general in nature and is not legal, tax, accounting, financial, investment, estate-planning, or individualized government-benefits advice. Consumers should consult appropriate qualified professionals regarding their individual circumstances.

Third-party content. References or links to government agencies, lenders, assistance programs, products, services, or other third-party websites are provided for informational purposes or convenience. Simply Approved Mortgages LLC does not control and is not responsible for third-party content, availability, accuracy, or privacy practices.

NMLS Consumer Access: Verify Simply Approved Mortgages LLC, NMLS #2620881.

Simply Approved Mortgages LLC, 633 W 5th St, Ste 2600, Los Angeles, CA 90071 · 877-813-7219 · support@simplyapprovedmortgages.com. State licensing details available at the NMLS Consumer Access link above. © 2026 Simply Approved Mortgages LLC.

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Where this fits in the buying a home library

This page sits inside our Buying a home coverage.

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Ask Sam AI

Ask SAM anything about mortgages

SAM is the Simply Approved Mortgages AI assistant. It answers general questions using the reviewed guides published on this site and links you to the primary government source. It is educational only — it does not quote a rate, payment, APR, approval or commitment to lend. A Simply Approved Mortgages Loan Officer reviews every scenario before any terms are confirmed.

Hi, I'm SAM — an AI assistant for Simply Approved Mortgages. I can explain loan programs, closing costs, DTI, down payments and which calculator or guide to use. I'm not a licensed loan officer, and nothing here is a quote, approval or commitment to lend.

SAM is an AI assistant — not a licensed loan officer, attorney, CPA or financial adviser. Answers are educational only, are not a quote, lock, offer or commitment to lend, and material loan terms must be reviewed by a Simply Approved Mortgages Loan Officer. Never share SSN/ITIN, date of birth, account numbers or passwords in chat. Residential mortgage loans are arranged in Florida and Colorado. Start My Approval.

Ask Sam AI provides general educational information only. It is an automated assistant, may be incomplete or out of date, and does not provide legal, tax or financial advice. Nothing it produces is a rate quote, APR, pre-approval, offer or commitment to lend. Never share a Social Security number, ITIN, date of birth, account number or password in chat. Simply Approved Mortgages LLC (NMLS #2620881) arranges residential mortgage loans in Florida and Colorado. Eligibility, terms, conditions and availability vary by borrower, property, lender, loan program and state, and all loans are subject to lender underwriting and approval. Equal Housing Opportunity.

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Add Simply Approved Mortgages as a preferred source on Google

We update these guides as HUD, FHFA, VA, USDA and CFPB publish new figures. If you want our updates to show up more often when you search Google, you can mark us as a preferred source from the Top Stories carousel:

  1. 1Sign in to your Google account and search a mortgage topic such as "mortgage rates".
  2. 2Select the icon next to "Top stories" to open the preferred sources panel.
  3. 3Search for Simply Approved Mortgages, tick the box, and save.
Google's preferred sources help

Preferred sources is a Google Search feature controlled entirely by you and by Google. Simply Approved Mortgages LLC (NMLS #2620881) does not control search results and makes no representation about how or whether our content will appear. Educational content only — not a quote, lock, offer, or commitment to lend.

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