If you've started house hunting in Marietta — or anywhere in Georgia, Florida, or Tennessee — you've probably already heard the same question from every listing agent: "Do you have a pre-approval letter?" Here's what that actually means, and why it matters before you ever walk into an open house.
What is a mortgage pre-approval letter?
A pre-approval letter is a signed document from a lender stating what purchase price you're approved to finance. It shows a seller and their listing agent that your offer is backed by real underwriting, not just a guess at what you can afford.
Why do agents ask for one before showing homes?
Most agents won't show you a home without one, because it confirms you're a qualified buyer before anyone spends time on a showing or an offer. Having a letter ready lets you move the moment you find the right home. In a competitive market, that head start is often the difference between getting a showing scheduled quickly and getting passed over.
What the Marietta Home Loans Team's tool needs from you
The Marietta Home Loans Team, powered by Affinity Home Lending, built a tool called Snappapp specifically to make this step painless. It asks four questions: the home you're buying, your gross monthly income, your monthly debts, and roughly where your credit score sits. That's the whole application — no pay stubs, no tax returns, no Social Security number, and no credit pull.
Is it really free?
Yes. Both the instant verdict and the signed PDF letter are free — there's no payment step anywhere in the process. You answer the four questions, get your verdict, and if you qualify, download a signed letter you can send straight to your agent.
What loan programs does it cover?
The Marietta Home Loans Team offers Conventional, VA, FHA, USDA, Jumbo, and Refinance loans, plus specialty programs including Bank Statement, Investor Cash Flow, Asset Qualifier, and Foreign National loans. The team lends across Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, Alabama, Texas, Colorado, Mississippi, and California.
Getting started
Whether you're just starting to look or you're about to make an offer this weekend, having a pre-approval letter in hand is the single easiest way to be taken seriously by a seller's agent. You can get yours in about a minute at mariettahomeloans.com/pre-approval — free, with no credit pull and no Social Security number required.
Questions before you start? Call or text (678) 463-5409, email ewaterman@affinityhomelending.com, or visit the team at 84 Church Street St A, Marietta, Georgia 30060.