What is a "pre-qualification" in mortgage lending?

A "pre-qualification" in mortgage lending is defined as an initial assessment of a borrower's potential eligibility for a loan. This stage generally involves a lender or mortgage broker evaluating a borrower's financial information, such as income, credit score, and debts, to provide a general idea of how much they might be able to borrow.

The purpose of pre-qualification is to give borrowers a preliminary understanding of their financing options and to determine if they can proceed further in the mortgage process. It is important to note that pre-qualification does not require extensive documentation and is not an official commitment from the lender; it is more of a starting point in the mortgage application process.

In contrast, the other choices represent different aspects of mortgage lending that are not aligned with the concept of pre-qualification. Official approval and a comprehensive financial audit are later stages that would require detailed documentation and verification of a borrower's financial status. A final step in the mortgage process would occur after pre-qualification and would indicate a completed application and loan approval.