Buy your home with a pro in your corner.
Get pre-approved quickly once your documents are in, shop with a letter sellers take seriously, and close with one licensed professional who knows your file. We compare loans from multiple lenders so you are not stuck with whatever one bank offers.
Pre-approval is free and starts with no hard credit inquiry. Licensed in 39 states, rated 4.9 across 5,300+ Google reviews.
Often 1 day
From a complete application to a pre-approval letter
Four ways to finance a home.
Most buyers qualify for more than one. Your pro prices every option you are eligible for and explains the trade-offs.
Most buyers
Conventional loan
The standard route for buyers with reasonable credit. Down payments start at 3 percent for eligible borrowers, and private mortgage insurance can be cancelled once the balance reaches 80 percent of the original value (and ends automatically at 78 percent), unlike FHA.
Lower credit scores
FHA loan
Government backed and built for first-time buyers and anyone with a thinner credit file. Scores from 580 with 3.5 percent down, and more forgiving debt-to-income limits.
Veterans and service members
VA loan
One of the most valuable benefits in lending: no down payment, no monthly mortgage insurance and competitive rates for eligible veterans, active-duty members and some surviving spouses.
Higher-priced homes
Jumbo loan
For purchases above the conforming loan limits set each year by the Federal Housing Finance Agency. Larger down payments and stronger reserves, with pricing that is often better than buyers expect.
3%
Minimum down payment on a conventional loan
4.9
Average of 5,300+ Google reviews
39
States we are licensed in
300+
Licensed loan officers on the team
Start with the pre-approval.
A purchase loan is money you borrow to buy a home, repaid monthly over a set term, secured by the property itself. The part most buyers underestimate is the beginning. Before you tour anything, a lender reviews your income, assets and credit and tells you what you can actually borrow. That is a pre-approval, and it is what turns browsing into buying.
It matters for two reasons. It sets a budget you can trust, so you are not falling for houses you cannot finance. And it makes your offer credible: in a competitive market, sellers routinely set aside offers that arrive without one. Ours is quick and costs nothing.
As a broker we are not tied to one lender’s products. We take your file to several, compare what each will actually do for your situation, and bring you the options side by side. If a first-time buyer program or a lower-cost structure fits you better, you will hear about it.
What you get working with us.
The difference between a broker and a bank shows up most on a purchase, when timing decides whether you get the house.
One pro, start to finish
A licensed specialist is your point of contact from pre-approval through closing. You will know their name and reach them directly, including evenings and weekends when offers are due.
Multiple lenders, one application
We shop your file across the lenders we work with instead of selling you the only product on the shelf. You see the real options, with the costs of each laid out.
A quick pre-approval
Fast enough to write an offer with confidence. We verify properly up front rather than issuing a soft letter that falls apart in underwriting.
Low and no down payment routes
Eligible veterans can buy with nothing down. Conventional loans start at 3 percent and FHA at 3.5 percent. We will tell you which you qualify for and what each costs long term.
Costs explained before you commit
Every line of your estimate in plain language, including what changes at closing and what does not. No number appears for the first time on signing day.
Offers sellers take seriously
A verified pre-approval from a broker who answers the listing agent’s call carries weight. We back up your offer when it counts.
From pre-approval to keys.
Five stages, one pro, and you always know what happens next.
1
Get pre-approved
We review your income, assets and credit and issue a letter that states what you can borrow. It costs nothing, and it tells you the budget to shop in.
2
Find the house
Shop with your agent knowing the number is real. When you are ready to write an offer, your pro is available to confirm your financing to the listing agent, including at weekends.
3
Lock and apply
We finalize the loan, discuss whether to lock your rate, and collect the documents underwriting needs. One list, gathered once.
4
Appraisal and underwriting
The lender orders an appraisal to confirm the value while underwriting verifies everything. We chase the moving pieces so that your closing date holds.
5
Close and move in
You review the final numbers ahead of time, sign, and the loan funds. Your pro is still there afterwards for questions, and for the refinance conversation years later.
Pre-approved buyers win the house.
In a competitive market, sellers pick the offer most likely to close. A real pre-approval, with your income, assets and credit already verified, tells them yours will.
Ours is issued by a licensed pro who has looked at your file, not an automated letter, and it is free.
What would the payment be?
Enter a price and a down payment to see the full monthly cost, not just principal and interest. Mortgage insurance is estimated from the loan type and how much you put down, and drops off a conventional loan once you reach 20 percent.
What lenders look for.
General guidelines across the purchase programs we offer. Lenders set their own overlays, and your pro will confirm which apply to you.
| Requirement | Conventional | FHA | VA | Jumbo |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum down payment | 3 percent for many first-time buyers | 3.5 percent at 580 and above | None for eligible borrowers | Commonly 10 to 20 percent |
| Minimum credit score | Usually 620 | Often 580, or 500 with 10 percent down | No VA minimum; lenders want 580 to 620 | Typically 700 or higher |
| Debt-to-income ratio | Up to about 45 to 50 percent | Often up to 50 percent with compensating factors | Guided by residual income as well | Usually 43 percent or lower |
| Mortgage insurance | Required under 20 percent down, removable later | Required; 11 years with 10 percent or more down, otherwise the life of the loan | None; one-time funding fee unless exempt | None, but pricing assumes a larger stake |
| Cash reserves | Often none required | Often none required | Often none required | Commonly 6 to 12 months of payments |
| Property types | Primary, second home or investment | Primary residence only | Primary residence only | Primary and second homes typically |
| Gift funds allowed | Yes, with a documented letter | Yes, with a documented letter | Yes, with a documented letter | Often limited |
Guidelines change and vary by lender. This table is a starting point, not a commitment to lend.
From pre-approval to keys
One licensed pro walks you from the first number to the closing table.
Are you ready to buy?
Owning is not automatically better than renting. Here is the honest test we walk through on the first call.
A good fit if you want to
- You expect to stay put long enough to outlast the costs of buying and selling, usually a few years
- Your income is steady and documented, whether from a job, self-employment or benefits
- You have a down payment saved, or you qualify for a low or no down payment loan such as FHA or VA
- Your credit is in reasonable shape, or you know what needs fixing and have time to fix it
- The likely payment, including taxes and insurance, fits your budget with room to spare
- You have a little left over after closing rather than spending your last dollar to get in
Probably not the right move if
- A move or a job change is likely within the next year or two
- Your savings would be completely drained by the down payment and closing costs
- Recent credit events need time to season before you would get a fair rate
- The payment only works if nothing in your life changes
The U.S. mortgage market right now.
National average rates from the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis FRED database: the Freddie Mac survey for conventional and the Optimal Blue indices for FHA and VA, shown as third-party market benchmarks, not MortgagePros pricing. Your rate depends on credit, down payment, loan type and the property itself. We will show you your real number, not an average.
Conventional 30-year fixed, U.S. average
7.40%
FHA 30-year fixed, U.S. average
7.08%
VA 30-year fixed, U.S. average
6.90%
Sources: Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey (conventional, 30-year national average, week of Oct 15, 2026) and Optimal Blue Mortgage Market Indices (FHA and VA, 30-year national averages as of Oct 15, 2026), distributed through FRED, Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis; the figures and dates refresh automatically from the source. These are third-party market benchmarks, not MortgagePros rates and not an offer of credit. Your rate and APR depend on your credit, loan type, property and lock date.
Ready to start looking? Start with the approval.
Get pre-approved, know your true budget, and shop with an offer sellers take seriously.
Homebuying questions, answered.
The questions buyers ask us most. If yours is not here, a licensed pro will answer it directly, with no obligation.
How much do I need for a down payment?
Less than most people think. Eligible veterans can buy with nothing down through a VA loan. Conventional loans start at 3 percent for many first-time buyers, and FHA at 3.5 percent. Twenty percent avoids mortgage insurance but is not a requirement, and for some buyers waiting years to reach it costs more in rent and rising prices than the insurance would; the right choice depends on your time horizon, local prices, rates and budget.
What credit score do I need to buy?
Conventional loans generally start at 620, FHA often at 580, and 500 to 579 can still work with 10 percent down. VA sets no minimum, though most lenders look for 580 to 620. If you are below the line, we will tell you what specifically is holding the score down and roughly how long it takes to fix.
How long does pre-approval take?
Quickly, once we have your documents. It is free, and our first look does not require a hard credit pull. The letter is generally good for 60 to 90 days and we refresh it as you shop.
What is the difference between pre-qualification and pre-approval?
A pre-qualification is an estimate based on what you tell us. A pre-approval means we have actually reviewed your income, assets and credit. Sellers know the difference, and in a competitive market the weaker letter is why good offers get passed over.
What will my monthly payment include?
Principal and interest on the loan, property taxes, homeowners insurance, and mortgage insurance if your down payment is under 20 percent. Condos and some neighborhoods add association dues. The calculator above puts all of it in one number, which is the figure that actually matters to your budget.
How much are closing costs?
Typically 2 to 5 percent of the purchase price, covering lender fees, the appraisal, title insurance, recording and prepaid taxes and insurance. Sellers sometimes contribute, and certain loan structures use lender credits to reduce what you bring. We show you the full figure early, not at signing.
Can I buy if I am self-employed?
Yes, and it is routine for us. Most programs average two years of personal and business tax returns. If large write-offs make your taxable income look small, bank-statement programs can qualify you on 12 to 24 months of deposits instead. Your pro will tell you which route prices better.
Should I lock my rate?
Once your offer is accepted, a lock protects your rate for a set period, usually 30 to 60 days, while the loan is processed. Whether to lock immediately or wait depends on how rates are moving and how far out your closing is. Your pro will give you a straight recommendation rather than leaving it to you.
What documents will you ask for?
Government ID, your last 30 days of pay stubs, two years of W-2s or tax returns, two months of bank and asset statements, and details of any other debts. Self-employed buyers add business returns and a year-to-date profit and loss. We ask once and keep the list as short as the program allows.
Can I buy a second home or an investment property?
Yes, on conventional financing. Both need a larger down payment than a primary residence, usually 10 percent for a second home and 15 to 25 percent for an investment property, and price a little higher. FHA and VA loans are for primary residences only.
Buy in any of the 39 states we serve.
MortgagePros is licensed in each state below; license types vary by state and are listed on our Licensing page. Wherever you are buying, the same pro is your point of contact from pre-approval to keys.
AL · AR · AZ · CA · CO · CT · DE · FL · GA · IA · ID · IL · IN · KS · KY · LA · MA · MD · ME · MI · MN · MS · MT · NC · ND · NE · NJ · NM · OH · OK · OR · PA · SC · SD · TN · TX · VA · WA · WI
Get pre-approved.
Tell us a little about what you are looking for. A licensed pro will call to start your pre-approval, usually the same business day. Asking does not start a loan or require a hard credit pull.
Prefer to talk?
248-416-1361
Open 24/7. Ask for a purchase specialist.
What happens next
A short call about your budget and timing, then a pre-approval letter you can shop with once your documents are reviewed. No hard credit pull until you decide to move forward.
Licensed and reviewed
Licensed in 39 states. NMLS #1925352. Rated 4.9 across 5,300+ Google reviews.