Get pre-approved before you shop
A pre-approval shows what you can borrow and tells sellers you’re ready. It also keeps you from falling for a home that doesn’t fit your budget.
A pre-approval is a lender’s written estimate of how much you can borrow. With 30-year rates averaging 7.24% the week of October 29, 2026, according to Freddie Mac, it pays to know your real number before you shop.
To get one, a lender reviews your income, debts, savings and credit. You don’t have to do it alone: I’ll introduce you to Alex Alvarez, a Tucson loan officer I trust, and he’ll walk you through it.
Sources: Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey; Consumer Financial Protection Bureau; City of Tucson Housing and Community Development. The payment shown is an estimate of principal and interest only, before taxes, insurance and any HOA. Your lender sets your actual rate and payment.
Three steps to a pre-approval
Text me
I’ll ask a few quick questions about your budget, your timing and the kind of home you want.
Meet Alex
I’ll introduce you by text, call, email or in person. Have recent pay stubs, W-2s or tax returns, bank statements and an ID handy. Self-employed buyers often need two years of returns.
Get your letter
Then we shop with a clear number, your offers carry more weight with sellers, and Alex stays with you through closing.
Why I work with a local lender
I partner with a few lenders for different situations, and the ones I trust most are here in Tucson. The hardest moments in a loan tend to come right before closing, and that’s when local matters.
Alex has years of experience with Tucson buyers. When you’re ready, he’ll answer your questions, work with you until you’re pre-approved and help you all the way to closing.
I’d rather you text me first so I can make a proper introduction. If you’d like to reach Alex yourself: (520) 891-5684 · aalvarez@neighborhoodloans.com
- They pick up the phone. When an appraisal, insurance or paperwork question comes up the week of closing, a local lender is a quick call away, not a toll-free number in another time zone.
- They know how Tucson deals work. Local appraisers, title companies, HOAs and down payment programs are everyday business for them.
- Sellers take the letter seriously. A listing agent can call a local lender and get a straight answer about your approval, which helps your offer stand out.
- You’re not doing this alone. Between Alex, me and the rest of my team, someone is with you at every step, from the first question to the keys.
Down payment help to ask about in Tucson
Programs change, so confirm current terms with the program or an approved lender before you count on one.
- City of Tucson-Pima County HOME down payment assistance. Up to $50,000 or 20% of the price, whichever is less, for buyers at or below 80% of area median income (for example, $79,850 for a household of four). Price limits apply: $304,000 for existing homes and $345,000 for new construction. You apply through a partner housing counseling agency. These terms are from the program’s June 2026 fact sheet. Current program details
- Pima Tucson Homebuyer’s Solution. A down payment assistance program sponsored by the Pima County and City of Tucson Industrial Development Authorities and offered through participating lenders. Ask a participating lender for the current terms.
- Low down payment loans. You don’t always need 20% down. FHA, VA (for eligible veterans and service members) and some conventional loans allow less. Alex can show you which fit and what each costs per month.
Common questions
What’s the difference between pre-qualified and pre-approved?
A pre-qualification is usually a quick estimate based on what you tell a lender. A pre-approval means the lender has checked your credit and reviewed documents, so sellers take it more seriously. Lenders use these words differently, so ask yours what their letter means.
Will getting pre-approved hurt my credit?
A credit check can cause a small, temporary dip. According to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, multiple mortgage credit checks within 45 days are recorded as a single inquiry.
How long does a pre-approval last?
It varies by lender, and many letters are good for a couple of months. If your income, debts or rates change, ask your lender to update it before you write an offer.
Do I need 20% down?
No. Many loan programs allow less, including FHA loans, VA loans for eligible veterans and service members, and conventional loans with smaller down payments. Alex can show you the options and what each costs monthly.
Why use a local lender?
A local lender is easier to reach when a question comes up right before closing, knows Tucson appraisers, title companies and down payment programs, and can confirm your approval when a listing agent calls. That’s why I introduce my buyers to Alex Alvarez with Neighborhood Loans.
Do I have to use your lender?
No. You’re always free to choose your own lender, and I’ll work with whoever you pick. I recommend Alex because he’s local, easy to reach and knows the Tucson market.
Other ways to browse
- New listingsNewest homes on the market
- Price reducedSellers who lowered the price
- Open housesWalk through one this week
- Recently soldWhat homes actually sold for
- New constructionBuilt in 2025 or later
- Land & lotsRoom to build or spread out
- Housing newsWeekly Tucson market updates
- What’s my home worth?Free online value estimate
Ready to get pre-approved?
You shouldn’t have to figure out a mortgage on your own. Text me, I’ll ask a few quick questions, and I’ll introduce you to Alex or the right local lender for your situation. Once you have a letter, we start touring homes with a clear number.
Alex Alvarez, Neighborhood Loans, NMLS #1636307. You’re always free to choose your own lender. Rates, loan terms and approval come from your lender.
Equal Housing Opportunity. Listing data comes from the MLS of Southern Arizona and is deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Page updated October 29, 2026.