Get Pre-Approved in Scottsdaleand shop with a real plan.
A documented pre-approval tells you what you may qualify for before you fall in love with a house. Pillar Mortgage Group is a licensed Arizona mortgage broker in Scottsdale. We review your income, assets and credit, compare available lender options, and give you a clear written pre-approval when your file supports one. All approvals are subject to eligibility and underwriting.
Pillar Mortgage Group, LLC, NMLS #2700076 | Arizona License MB-2009671 | Equal Housing Opportunity
Start Your Pre-Approval
No commitment · A real person follows up
Request received.
A member of the Pillar team will reach out shortly to talk through your pre-approval. We will not pull credit without telling you first.
A mortgage pre-approval is a lender's written review of your income, assets, debts and credit that shows the loan amount and program you may qualify for. It is stronger than a quick pre-qualification because your documents are actually reviewed. It is not a final loan approval. The property, the appraisal and full underwriting still come later.
Pillar Mortgage Group, LLC is a Scottsdale mortgage broker. That means we can look at your scenario across multiple lenders and programs, including conventional loans, FHA loans, VA loans and jumbo loans, instead of fitting you into one lender's menu. You get a pre-approval you understand and a clear list of what still needs to happen before closing.
Pre-qualification, pre-approval and underwriting in plain English.
Three different steps, each with a different level of confidence.
| Stage | What is reviewed | Credit | What it tells you | What it is not |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pre-qualification | Information you tell us about income, assets and debts, usually without documents | May be self-reported or not reviewed yet | A rough idea of a price range and which programs to explore | Not verified, so it carries little weight with a listing agent |
| Documented pre-approval | Your pay stubs, W-2s or tax returns, bank statements and other documents, plus a credit review | Credit is reviewed, with your permission | A written estimate of the loan amount and program you may qualify for, with any conditions listed | Not a commitment to lend. The property and final underwriting are still ahead |
| Underwriting review | Your full file, updated documents, the purchase contract, appraisal and title | Reviewed again as needed | Whether the lender approves the loan for this specific property, with any remaining conditions | Not complete until conditions are cleared and the loan is cleared to close |
Your pre-approval, step by step.
Clear communication from pre-approval through closing, with a real person on the other end.
Talk It Through
Tell us what you want to buy, your price range, how you will use the home and what monthly payment feels comfortable.
Share Documents
You apply through our secure application and upload income and asset documents. Please do not send sensitive details by regular email.
Credit Review
With your permission, we review credit. We tell you before any credit pull and explain what kind of inquiry it is.
Compare Options
We compare available lender options and programs, then walk you through payment, cash to close and tradeoffs.
Written Pre-Approval
When your file supports it, you receive a written pre-approval that lists the loan amount, program and any conditions.
Shop and Offer
We can prepare an updated letter for a specific offer and talk with the listing agent if you want us to.
Underwriting
Once you are under contract, the file moves to full underwriting with the appraisal and title review.
Clear to Close
Conditions are cleared, closing documents are prepared and we keep you updated until you get the keys.
Your pre-approval document checklist.
Having these ready makes the review smoother. Not every item applies to every borrower, and the lender may ask for more depending on your situation. Upload documents only through the secure application, never by regular email.
Income and employment
- Recent pay stubs showing year-to-date earnings.
- W-2s for the most recent years, if you are a salaried or hourly employee.
- Personal tax returns with all schedules, especially if you earn commission, bonus or rental income.
- Business tax returns and a year-to-date profit and loss if you are self-employed. If write-offs reduce your taxable income, a bank statement loan may be worth comparing.
- Award letters for Social Security, pension, disability or other benefit income.
Assets and funds to close
- Recent bank statements for checking and savings, all pages.
- Retirement and investment statements if you plan to use those funds or show reserves.
- Gift documentation if family is helping with the down payment, subject to program rules.
- Explanation of large deposits that are not from regular payroll.
Identity and history
- Government-issued photo ID.
- Current housing details, such as your lease or current mortgage statement.
- Divorce decree or child support orders, if applicable.
- VA Certificate of Eligibility for VA buyers, which we can help you request. VA loans are for eligible veterans, service members and qualifying surviving spouses, subject to VA eligibility and lender approval.
What lenders look at when they pre-approve you.
There is no single number that makes or breaks a file. Requirements vary by program, lender and property, and everything is subject to eligibility and underwriting. These are the areas that matter most.
Credit history
How you have handled credit over time. Your credit profile affects which programs fit and how loans are priced.
Income stability
Lenders look for documented income that is stable and likely to continue, whether you are salaried, commissioned or self-employed.
Debts and payment
Your monthly obligations are weighed against your income, including the new housing payment with taxes, insurance and any HOA dues.
Assets and reserves
Funds for the down payment and closing costs, and sometimes reserves left after closing. Low down payment options may be available for eligible buyers.
Will a pre-approval affect my credit?
A documented pre-approval usually involves a credit review, and some credit reviews can show up as an inquiry on your report. The effect, if any, depends on your overall credit profile and how the credit bureaus score it. Credit scoring models generally treat multiple mortgage inquiries within a limited shopping window differently than many separate credit applications, but the details vary by scoring model.
Here is our rule: we tell you before any credit pull. We explain what type of review it is, why it is needed at that point, and what it means for you. Nothing happens to your credit just because you filled out the form on this page or booked a call.
Ready to know where you stand?
Start your pre-approval or talk through your scenario first. No commitment, and no credit pull without telling you.
How a strong pre-approval helps your offer.
Sellers and listing agents want to know your financing is real. A documented pre-approval helps you show that.
Shop in the right range
You know your likely loan amount, estimated payment and cash to close before you tour. That keeps you focused on homes that fit your budget, not just the lender's maximum.
Offer letters that match
We can prepare a pre-approval letter for the specific price and terms of your offer, so you do not reveal more buying power than you want the seller to see.
A lender call the agent can make
With your permission, we can speak with the listing agent to explain what has been reviewed and what remains, which can help your offer stand on clear facts.
How long does a pre-approval take?
It depends on how complete your documents are and how straightforward your income is. A salaried borrower with recent pay stubs, W-2s and bank statements ready can often move through the review quickly. Self-employed borrowers, multiple income sources or recent job changes may need more review. We will give you a realistic sense of timing once we see your file, and we keep you updated along the way.
Pre-approvals also have a shelf life. Documents and credit reports age, so if your search runs longer, we may ask for updated statements or pay stubs to refresh your letter. That is normal and helps keep your pre-approval accurate when you are ready to write an offer.
What it costs to compare
Wondering how pricing works before you commit? You can request a personalized rate-and-fee comparison to see how lender options differ for your scenario. Rates and fees depend on your credit, loan amount, property and market conditions at the time you lock.
Questions about getting pre-approved.
Do not see yours? Contact our team or email [email protected].
Get pre-approved with a Scottsdale broker.
Start with a quick conversation. Talk through your scenario with our team, and when you are ready, we will send you to our secure application to upload documents and complete your pre-approval. You can also reach us at [email protected] or through our contact page.
Not a commitment to lend. All loans are subject to credit approval, underwriting guidelines and property eligibility. Programs and terms may change without notice. Pillar Mortgage Group, LLC | NMLS# 2700076 | AZ License MB-2009671 | Equal Housing Opportunity. See Licensing and Disclosures.