An official website of the State of Maryland.

Maryland.gov Translate

Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock ( ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Maryland Mortgage Program

Lender Pre-Approval

Getting pre-approved by a mortgage lender is an important early step in the homebuying journey. 

A pre-approval:

  • Helps you understand what you can afford
  • Strengthens any offer you make on a home
  • Is required if you plan to use a Maryland Mortgage Program (MMP) loan

Why pre-approval matters

Before you start touring homes, a lender can assess your financial readiness and give you a clear picture of your price range. Pre-approval is strongly recommended before making an offer on a home.

During this process, a lender reviews key information such as:

  • Income (pay stubs, W-2s, tax returns)
  • Assets (bank statements, savings)
  • Debts and monthly obligations
  • Credit history

This information helps the lender:

  • Evaluate your creditworthiness
  • Estimate the maximum loan amount and interest rate you may qualify for

What to expect during the process

Your lender will complete a credit inquiry and verify the financial documents you provide. Once the review is complete, you will receive a pre-approval letter. This letter states the maximum amount the lender is willing to finance and serves as proof that you are a serious, qualified buyer. It also helps you focus your home search on properties within your budget.

Finding an MMP-approved lender

To use an MMP loan, your pre-approval must come from one of our state-approved mortgage lenders. You can:

Working with an experienced MMP lender ensures that you understand:

  • Your loan options
  • Eligibility requirements
  • What to expect as you move toward homeownership