# "Honey, let's get a mortgage today!"

By Andre Makapagal (@andremakapagal) · Published 2026-08-04

Canonical: https://voce.com/@andremakapagal/honey-lets-get-a-mortgage-today-gdku01

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Nobody wakes up and says that!

You want the house—the mortgage is just the expensive paperwork standing between you and your home.

Once you find a property you love, the next question is inevitable: **“_Can we actually afford this?_”**

This is where mortgage loan officers and underwriters enter your story. We can turn home-buying dreams into reality—or, sometimes, bring those dreams crashing back down to earth.

**Successful Steps For Homebuying:**

**Step 1:** **Contact A Licensed Mortgage Loan Officer.** Are all licensed mortgage officers the same? Nope. Interview them. Ask questions. Ask for recent reviews. Check their social media. Do an AI search. [Check their license number](https://www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org/Home.aspx/MainSearch). _You're making the largest purchase of your life...make an informed decision._ Click here to understand the difference between [Retail Loan Officers vs Wholesale Loan Officers](https://www.chase.com/personal/mortgage/education/financing-a-home/wholesale-v-retail-mortgage-lending).

**Step 2:** **Get Pre-Approved**

**Pre‑Approved** typically means income, assets, credit, etc. have been documented and underwritten, by a lender giving you a clearer financial picture of what you can afford.

**Benefits of Getting Pre-Approved:**

-   Stronger credibility with listing agents and sellers (they know the file has been vetted vs. pre-qualified)
    
-   More confidence in closing on time, which helps you negotiate and win offers
    
-   Fewer surprises later (conditions and issues are caught earlier)
    
-   A clearer picture of payment, cash to close, and realistic price range, which improves borrower experience and reduces back-and-forth negotiations.
    

**Step 3: "_Honey, let's go house shopping today!_"**

![](https://convex.voce.com/api/storage/9460abfa-5da7-474b-9b82-f130079a8039)