Recent data shows that most first-time home buyers in Washington State and nationwide shop for a mortgage loan before shopping for a home. There are several advantages to taking this preliminary step prior to house hunting, which we will outline in this article.
Are you thinking of buying a home in Washington State? Have you gotten pre-approved for a mortgage before you start your home search? Many first-time homebuyers get their financing in order before they search for their first home, according to recent date, which is a smart step to take.
The Washington Post recently reported the results of a survey that showed “74 percent of buyers looked into their home financing options before shopping and, among first-time buyers, that number jumps to 85 percent.”
According to the report and survey, most buyers view mortgage pre-approval as a worthwhile step. They also feel that it makes sense to do it before finding a real estate agent or house hunting. Pre-approval also gives them more confidence regarding their purchase, and a better understanding of what they can afford to buy.
This is something we’ve blogged about in the past. In a typical real estate scenario where a mortgage loan is being used, it makes sense for home buyers to get pre-approved before house hunting.
Check out our guide: 11 basic steps in the buying process.
As the Post article rightly pointed out, getting pre-approved before house hunting is even more important in a competitive real estate market. And that describes most cities across Washington State, as of March 2026.
“A [mortgage loan] pre-approval is essential in a competitive market where homes sell quickly and sellers have a choice of offers.”
Being pre-approved by a lender shows the seller that you are serious about buying their property, and that you have your financing line up. That’s a big deal in the eyes of a seller, and it could help your offer rise to the top.
The real estate market in Washington is heating up. Prices have risen 22.8% over the past year. The average price in Washington State for a home is currently $548,280, and that price is just going to go up.
Inventory is tight right now in centers right across the state, and in some markets, there’s just a 1.57-month supply of homes available for sale to meet demand. In Seattle and King County, for instance, there is about a 2.6-month supply of homes.
That means competition is rather fierce, which is why buyers need to put their best foot forward when putting in an offer, and going into an offer with a pre-approval letter in hand is a great way to get a leg up on the competition.
Given these conditions, it’s important for home buyers to utilize every advantage they can get in order to find and purchase a property. Mortgage pre-approval is one of several steps toward that goal. It helps set the stage for a more successful house hunting process.
It should be noted that a soft pull may be done with a pre-approval, which has no impact on your credit. But once a property in under contract and in order to close the loan, a hard pull is needed, which will affect your credit score. But being armed with a pre-approval letter can put you in a stronger position when it comes time to make an offer on a home.
If you’re thinking of getting a mortgage in Washington state, then you may want to consider getting pre-approved first, and Sammamish Mortgage can help with that. We’ve been helping home buyers and homeowners across the state of Washington, Idaho, Colorado, Oregon, and California since 1992, and offer many mortgage programs for you to choose from. Please contact us if you have mortgage-related questions, or to receive a loan estimate.
Pre-approval helps buyers understand their price range, identify financing issues early, and shop with more confidence.
Mortgage pre-approval is a lender’s review of your finances to estimate how much you may be able to borrow for a home purchase.
It gives buyers a realistic budget, which helps them focus on homes within an affordable price range.
Yes. A pre-approval letter can show sellers that a buyer is serious and financially prepared, which can strengthen an offer in a competitive market.
No. Final approval still depends on full underwriting, property review, and meeting all loan conditions.
A soft pull may be used during pre-approval and does not affect credit, but a hard pull is typically required later when the property is under contract and the loan moves toward closing.
Yes. Starting the financing review early can help the process move more efficiently once a purchase agreement is reached.
In a fast-moving market, sellers often prefer buyers who already have financing lined up because it reduces uncertainty and can support a smoother transaction.
Many buyers choose to explore financing first so they know their budget before working with an agent and touring homes.
Yes. Sammamish Mortgage offers mortgage programs for Washington home buyers and can help with the pre-approval process.
Our loan officers are ready and waiting to help you apply for your home loan.
Whether you’re buying a home or ready to refinance, our professionals can help.
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