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Alex Jodoin Mortgages

Services / Pre-approval

Pre-approval.

A real one. Not the soft-quote your banking app spits out. There's a meaningful difference, and it matters when you're standing in front of a property you actually want.

When you walk into an open house, a real pre-approval gives you and the seller something to stand on. A soft online quote gives you a number that may or may not survive an actual underwriting review. I'll walk you through which one you have today and what it takes to get the real thing.

Send me a few details

Who this is for

Probably you, if any of this is true.

  • You're planning to buy in the next six months.
  • You want to know your real budget before shopping, not after a stressful surprise.
  • You've gotten a number from your bank's app and aren't sure how seriously to take it.
  • You want to lock in a rate now while you take your time choosing a place.

My approach

How I run a pre-approval.

  1. 01

    Document up front.

    T4s, two most recent Notices of Assessment, recent pay stubs, ID. The pre-approval is only as solid as the documents behind it.

  2. 02

    Real credit pull.

    Hard inquiry, runs your actual file. The result is a number with weight behind it, not an algorithmic guess.

  3. 03

    Lock the rate.

    Typically 90 to 120 days, depending on the lender. If rates rise during your shopping window, you keep the original number; if they drop, most lenders honour the lower rate at close.

  4. 04

    Be clear about what it doesn't guarantee.

    A pre-approval is not a final approval. The property itself, the appraisal, and your situation at close all matter. I'll spell out exactly what could still come up and how to avoid surprises.

Common questions

Common questions

  • How long is a pre-approval good for?
    Most pre-approvals are valid for 90 to 120 days. If you're not in offer territory by then, we re-pull the data and refresh. Usually quick.
  • Will it hurt my credit score?
    A hard inquiry typically dings your score by a few points temporarily. Multiple mortgage inquiries within a short window are usually grouped as one by the bureaus, so you can shop without compounding the impact.
  • Will the pre-approval lock my rate?
    Yes, with most lenders. If rates rise, you keep the held rate. If they drop, most lenders honour the lower rate at funding — though terms vary, so I'll confirm with your specific lender.
  • Can my pre-approval be revoked?
    Yes, if material things change: a job loss, a new debt, a missed payment, a property that doesn't appraise. The pre-approval is a snapshot, not a promise. I'll tell you which moves to avoid between now and close.
  • Do I need to commit to one lender at this stage?
    No. A pre-approval doesn't lock you into closing with that lender. When you're ready to make an offer, we can re-evaluate against the full market for your specific property.

Get in touch

Get a real number to work with.

Send me a quick note about your timing. I'll come back with the document list and what to expect, usually within a business day.

Send me a few details

The form

Tell me a bit about what you're looking into.

I read every message and reply personally, usually within a business day. No pitch waiting on the other end.

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