A mortgage preapproval is a letter from a lender indicating the type and amount of loan you can qualify for. The preapproval letter is issued after the lender has evaluated your financial history — including pulling your credit report and score. Getting preapproved for a mortgage helps you shop for homes within your means and shows you’re a serious buyer. Getting preapproved also helps you find a mortgage lender that can work with you to select a home loan with an interest rate and other terms suited to your needs. Learn how to get preapproved