A number of factors determine the price range of homes you'll want to preview - one of these factors is loan pre-qualification.

As your agent, I will help you get pre-qualified with a lender of your choosing. Items to consider when pre-qualifying for a mortgage loan include:

• Employment History
• Credit History and Scores  
• Monthly Income and Expenses

Finding a lender can sometimes be overwhelming. With so many banks/lenders to choose from, how will you decide? I never suggest going with the first lender you find and their pre-approval. I always recommend interviewing at least 3 different lenders. A couple reasons being is they may be able to perform more tasks "in house", or offer better rates/incentives.

If you need help and/or aren't familiar with local lenders, I can forward you names of local lenders who have done great service with my past clients. There you can call or email each of them to decide which one will work best with you and your family's needs. Most of your questions can be answered in a simple phone conversation.

Your credit will not "have" to be pulled to request a "Good Faith Estimate" (itemized breakdown of the total costs of your mortgage), however having your credit history/scores will allow the lender a clear perspective on just how much you may qualify for!

There are many different types of loans to consider - FHA, VA, USDA, Conventional and even Bad Credit Loans. We'll find the best loan for your situation!

I personally encourage you to consider working with local lenders when purchasing a home here on Oahu, Hawaii. There are some factors to consider: local lenders know the market first hand, may even live in the neighborhood you're interested in, so they can relate to your situation.

If you were to choose a mainland lender, keep in mind the time difference! You may have to wake up early to actually speak to your representative to get matters resolved. Also, consider this before going with larger lenders...are you going to get to talk to the same person each time you call?

Some larger nationwide lenders pride themselves on offering kickback incentives, however you'll want to consider the lack of personal dedication to your loan approval, how long you'll be put "on hold" when you call with questions, and you may have to reiterate your story/situation every time you call because you'll be speaking to a different "representative" each time. You'll also never meet that person face to face, like you would a local lender.

Just some food for thought. Remember, in the end it's your decision who you choose...so do your homework! After all, buying a home is one of the largest investments you'll ever make!