Getting Pre-Approved for a Mortgage
Josie Dvorken, DRE #02085290 – Equity Union Real Estate
Before you begin touring homes, one of the smartest steps you can take is to get pre-approved for a mortgage loan. In today’s highly competitive Coachella Valley real estate market, pre-approval gives you both clarity and credibility — helping you shop confidently and negotiate from a position of strength.
What Pre-Approval Really Means
Pre-approval is a formal evaluation of your financial profile by a qualified lender or mortgage broker. They’ll review your income, employment, assets, and credit history to determine how much a bank is likely to lend.
Unlike simple “pre-qualification,” which is based on verbal information, pre-approval requires documentation and results in a verified lending amount. That letter becomes one of your strongest tools when making an offer — proof to sellers that your financing is secure and ready to go.
How the Process Works
I can connect you to a trusted, local mortgage professional who understands our market. They’ll begin by checking your income and credit, then help you compare loan programs and terms to find the one that best suits your goals.
A full pre-approval requires:
Verification of employment and income
Current credit report
Review of assets and liabilities
Confirmation of down-payment funds
Once complete, you’ll know your approved loan amount, estimated monthly payment, and interest-rate options — so you can focus your search on properties that fit your financial comfort zone.
Why It Matters
Pre-approval doesn’t obligate you to borrow — it simply ensures that if you choose to move forward, you’re eligible and prepared.
Here’s why it matters so much:
You’ll shop smarter. Knowing your budget lets you focus on homes within range and make confident, timely offers.
You’ll be taken seriously. Sellers — especially in the luxury segment — prefer offers from pre-approved buyers because they minimize risk.
You’ll be ready when it counts. Once your offer is accepted, pre-approval allows the escrow process to move quickly and smoothly.
Setting Up for Success
Pre-approval also establishes your relationship with a lender early in the process. This connection will be essential once we reach the escrow stage, as your lender and the escrow officer will coordinate documentation and funding when the Purchase Agreement is signed.
It’s one of the most important steps you can take before we ever set foot in a property — ensuring that when you find your dream home, the financial path is already paved.
Bottom line:
Pre-approval gives you clarity, credibility, and control. It’s your signal to the market that you’re ready — and it allows us to act decisively when the perfect home appears.
Learn why mortgage pre-approval matters in the Coachella Valley. Josie Dvorken explains how to prepare, what to expect, and why it gives buyers a competitive edge.
LENDERS IN THE COACHELLA VALLEY
Josie Dvorken is a marketing consultant, creative director, and licensed real estate professional serving the Coachella Valley. With a background in photography and design, she brings an innovative, story-driven approach to real estate marketing. As a Marketing Consultant for The Leiterman Group at Equity Union, she helps shape the team’s brand and community presence. Josie also founded Desert Nesting, a lifestyle magazine that celebrates the people, homes, and neighborhoods that make desert living so distinctive.
Josie Dvorken | DRE#02085290 | Equity Union Real Estate
44-495 Town Center Way, Suite B, Palm Desert, CA 92260
