Get pre-approved with Bethany Sanchez

You do not need a perfect credit score, a big down payment or a signed contract to start a conversation about a mortgage. You just need a question. Use the form above to tell Bethany Sanchez (NMLS #2425491) about your goals, call or text (760) 713-3814, or book a 30-minute call. Whether you are buying your first home, refinancing, tapping your equity or financing an investment property, the first step is the same: a clear, no-pressure conversation.

What this form is, and is not: It is a way to start a conversation. It is not a loan application or a commitment to lend. Never put Social Security numbers, birth dates or bank account numbers in this form.

What happens after you reach out

1. Bethany replies. She aims to reply the same business day, using the method you prefer.
2. You talk it through. In a short conversation she asks about your goals, timeline, income, savings and concerns. You ask her anything.
3. You complete the secure application. It takes about 15 minutes in the secure portal. The initial review uses a soft credit check, so your credit scores are not affected.
4. She compares lenders. As a wholesale mortgage broker, Sunset Home Lending can compare options from more than 200 wholesale lenders, so your scenario is matched to the lender built for it.
5. You get pre-approved. With a complete file, pre-approvals are typically ready within 24 hours, and same-day pre-approvals are possible when everything is provided up front.

What you will need for a pre-approval

You can start before you have everything, but these items make the process faster. Having them ready is the single biggest factor in a same-day pre-approval.

For most borrowers

• Government-issued photo ID
• Pay stubs covering the last 30 days
• W-2s or tax returns for the last two years
• Two months of statements for checking, savings and investment accounts
• A list of debts, such as car loans, student loans, credit cards and any child support or alimony
• Rental history or current mortgage information

If you are self-employed or have variable income

• Two years of personal and business tax returns
• A year-to-date profit and loss statement, if requested
• Business bank statements, depending on the program

If you are using gift funds or assistance

• A gift letter and proof of the funds
• Details about any down payment assistance program

If you are a veteran or service member

• Your Certificate of Eligibility or the information needed to request one, and your discharge documents or statement of service

If you are an investor

• Property addresses, purchase contracts or current mortgage statements
• Leases or rent rolls, and entity documents if you are buying through an LLC
• For renovation projects, a scope of work and budget

Pre-qualification, pre-approval and final approval

These terms are often used loosely, so here is how Bethany uses them:

• Pre-qualification is a quick estimate based on information you provide. It is a helpful starting point but carries limited weight with sellers.
• Pre-approval means your documents and credit have been reviewed and you appear to qualify for a certain loan amount and program, subject to conditions. It is what most agents and sellers want to see.
• Final approval comes from underwriting after you have a signed purchase contract, an appraisal and clear title. Only then is a loan approved to close.

None of these is a commitment to lend until all conditions are met. The guide to pre-qualification vs. pre-approval explains more.

Already have an offer from another lender?

You do not have to start over. Upload your Loan Estimate on Compare my offer and Bethany will tell you honestly whether you are in a great spot or whether she can find better terms. Markets move every day, and once you lock a rate you generally cannot take advantage of later improvements, so a second look is most valuable before you lock.

How to protect your approval

Once you are pre-approved, keep your financial picture steady until you close:

• Do not open new credit cards or finance a car, furniture or other big purchases.
• Do not change jobs or become self-employed without talking to Bethany first.
• Do not move large sums of money between accounts without documenting them.
• Keep paying every bill on time, and respond to document requests quickly.

Questions worth asking any lender

Good questions to ask anyone you are considering, including Bethany:

• Which loan programs might fit my situation, and why?
• What will my total costs be, including closing costs and mortgage insurance?
• How long does the process usually take, and what could slow it down?
• Who will I be working with, and how will you keep me and my agent informed?
• What happens if my appraisal is low or my financial picture changes?

She is happy to answer them, and she welcomes the comparison.

For agents and homeowners with equity

If you are a real estate agent, see how Bethany supports agents on the For Agents page. If you want to borrow against your home, the HELOC and home equity quick quote shows estimated 30, 20 and 15-year options in about a minute.

Your information and your privacy

The details you send are used to respond to your request and are handled according to the privacy policy. Sunset Home Lending does not sell your personal information, and mobile numbers are never shared with third parties for their marketing. Calls and texts that use automated technology go only to people who checked the optional box, and you can stop them anytime by replying STOP or using the opt-out form.

Where to find Bethany

Reach Bethany Sanchez at (760) 713-3814 (call or text), by email at bsanchez@federalfirstlending.com, or in person by appointment at the Sunset Home Lending office in Scottsdale. She serves Phoenix, Scottsdale, Gilbert, Mesa, Chandler, Tempe, Paradise Valley, and Maricopa County and clients anywhere in Alabama, Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Michigan, Tennessee, Texas, and Washington. Verify her license at any time on NMLS Consumer Access.