Buyer guide · Financing

How to get pre-approved for a mortgage in Louisiana

A pre-approval is a letter from a lender saying how much it is willing to lend you, based on information the lender has verified. It is not a guaranteed loan offer. Get one before you tour homes so your offer shows a seller you can buy. You can apply with several lenders: credit checks from mortgage lenders within a 45-day window count as a single inquiry on your credit report.

Reviewed by Nicole Gaudet, REALTOR®
Updated October 29, 2026

Know the difference

Pre-qualification vs. pre-approval

Both letters say how much a lender is willing to lend you, based on certain assumptions. The difference is what the lender checked.

Pre-qualification compared with pre-approval
	Pre-qualification	Pre-approval
What the lender uses	May rely on unverified information you report	Uses verified information, such as documents you provide
Credit check	The lender may check your credit	The lender may check your credit
Guaranteed loan offer?	No	No
Best use	A first look at your price range	The letter to send with an offer

Sources: CFPB, prequalification vs. preapproval letter.

Before you apply

What to have ready

Lenders verify income, assets and debts. Gather the paperwork first so the pre-approval moves quickly.

Pay stubsRecent ones; these are time-sensitive, so you may need to update them

Bank statementsAlso time-sensitive; lenders ask for recent statements

VA buyersA Certificate of Eligibility (COE) from the VA

Child support or alimonyA copy of the court order and proof of payment, if you pay or receive it

Self-employedExpect to provide more documents to show your income

Ask each lender for its own checklist. Requirements differ by lender and loan type.

Sources: CFPB, gather and update your paperwork; VA, how to request a COE.

Step by step

How pre-approval works, start to finish

Plan for it before you start touring homes.

Check your credit.Pull your credit reports and fix any errors before you apply.
Gather your paperwork.Pay stubs, bank statements and any documents for your situation (see the list above).
Apply with more than one lender.Credit checks from mortgage lenders within 45 days are recorded as a single inquiry. Before you get a Loan Estimate, the only fee a lender may charge is a small credit report fee.
Compare Loan Estimates.A lender owes you a Loan Estimate once you give six things: your name, income, Social Security number, the property address, an estimated value and the loan amount you want. Lenders cannot require more to issue one.
Get your pre-approval letter.Ask how long it is good for and what would need updating before closing.
Send it with your offer.Your agent includes the letter so the seller knows you have been checked by a lender.

Sources: CFPB, request and review multiple Loan Estimates; CFPB, what you must give a lender to get a Loan Estimate; CFPB, prequalification vs. preapproval letter.

Louisiana programs

Using LHC down payment help or a VA loan

If you plan to use a state program or a VA loan, pick a lender that offers it before you get pre-approved.

LHC HomeStartMinimum 640 credit score and a participating lender

VA loansYou need a Certificate of Eligibility; your lender can help request it

See our Louisiana first-time homebuyer programs guide for LHC income limits, education rules and how the second mortgage works, and our VA home loans in Louisiana guide.

Sources: LHC, HomeStart Assist; LHC, Homebuyers; VA, how to request a COE.

Questions

Mortgage pre-approval: questions

Is a mortgage pre-approval a guarantee?

No. The CFPB says pre-qualification and pre-approval letters are not guaranteed loan offers. Your loan still depends on the home, the appraisal and your finances staying the same through closing.

Source: CFPB.

What is the difference between pre-qualified and pre-approved?

A pre-qualification may be based on unverified information you report. A pre-approval is based on information the lender has verified. Both say how much the lender is willing to lend based on certain assumptions.

Source: CFPB.

Will getting pre-approved by several lenders hurt my credit?

Lenders may check your credit. Credit checks from mortgage lenders within a 45-day window are recorded on your credit report as a single inquiry, so you can compare lenders within that window.

Source: CFPB.

How long is a pre-approval letter good for?

It depends on the lender, so ask yours for the expiration date. Pay stubs and bank statements are time-sensitive, and the lender may ask for updated ones before closing.

Source: CFPB.

What credit score do I need for Louisiana down payment assistance?

LHC lists a 640 minimum credit score for its HomeStart programs, and you must use a participating lender.

Source: LHC.

Does Nicole Spellman Group give pre-approvals?

No. We are a real estate team, not a lender. Call 225-438-9235 or meet the team, and we can tell you what to ask lenders before you start touring.

Nicole Spellman Group.

Keep reading

First-time homebuyer programsLHC down payment help, credit and income rulesRead the guide → VA home loans in LouisianaEligibility, COE and funding feeRead the guide → Closing checklistFrom accepted offer to keysRead the checklist →

Next step

Ready to start looking?

Get pre-approved, then call us. We will set up a home search for the areas and price range your lender approves.

See all buyer guides

Nicole Spellman Group is a real estate team, not a lender. Loan terms, rates, fees and approval come from your lender.

Talk to the team

225-438-9235

Call or text the team line.

Call 225-438-9235