Presented by Megan Bludau, Mortgage Loan Officer (NMLS #2466297) with Contour Mortgage, in collaboration with The Jamie McMartin Group at Compass
Thinking about buying a home in Katy, Texas? Here’s the first step you shouldn’t skip.
You know that moment when you’re scrolling listings and spot the one? The front porch, the kitchen, the backyard, it’s everything you’ve been dreaming of.
Before you text your Houston Realtor at The Jamie McMartin Group or start mentally arranging furniture, there’s one step that turns that dream into a real plan: getting pre-approved for a mortgage.
And no, it’s not nearly as intimidating as it sounds.
So… what is a mortgage pre-approval, exactly?
If you’ve ever wondered how a pre-qualification differs from a pre-approval (and why that difference really matters when buying a home in Texas), you’re not alone.
Think of a mortgage pre-approval as your official green light from a lender. It’s a verified review of your financial picture that confirms what you can realistically afford, not just a quick online estimate.
In competitive markets like Katy and Fulshear, a fully underwritten pre-approval is one of the strongest tools you can bring to the table.
When multiple offers hit a seller’s desk, both sellers and their real estate agents tend to prioritize offers that are backed by a solid pre-approval, especially when working with an experienced Houston real estate agent like Jamie McMartin and The Jamie McMartin Group.
What happens during the pre-approval process?
When I issue a pre-approval, my team and I look at the four main pillars of your financial profile. This isn’t about being perfect, it’s about creating a clear, accurate snapshot of where you are today.
Here’s what we review:
- Credit: Payment history, credit score, and current debts.
- Income: Base pay, bonuses, commissions, or self-employment income.
- Assets: Checking, savings, retirement accounts, or gift funds for your down payment.
- Employment history: Consistency matters, and a two-year history is typically the sweet spot.
And truly, don’t stress.
If you can get your kids to school on time, juggle sports practice, and still remember show-and-tell day (trust me, I get it), you can absolutely handle this process.
How to get pre-approved (without the overwhelm)
Getting started is simple and designed to fit into real life, not slow it down.
Step 1: Complete a quick online mortgage application
Most clients finish this in under 10 minutes.
Step 2: Access your secure borrower portal
You’ll upload documents, e-sign disclosures, and track your progress, all from your phone or computer.
Step 3: I handle the rest
No printing. No scanning. No endless back-and-forth emails.
Just a smooth, streamlined start so you’re ready when the right home comes along.
What documents do you need for mortgage pre-approval?
Here’s exactly what to have ready:
- Recent pay stubs (last 30 days).
- W-2s, 1099s, or tax returns (past 2 years).
- Bank statements (past 2 months).
- Driver’s license.
That’s it. Apply, upload, done.
Local insight: Pre-approval in Katy & Fulshear
When I pre-approve buyers in Fort Bend County, I go beyond the basics.
I factor in the local details that directly impact your true monthly payment, including:
- Property tax rates, which vary widely between communities (for example, Cinco Ranch vs. Elyson).
- Homeowners insurance premiums, especially when comparing new construction to resale homes.
- HOA and MUD fees, which differ from neighborhood to neighborhood.
Because a $600,000 home in Firethorne can come with a very different monthly payment than a $600,000 home in Tamarron, even if they look identical on paper.
That’s why a local, customized mortgage pre-approval makes such a difference when buying in Katy, Fulshear, or the greater Houston area.
What happens after you’re pre-approved?
Your pre-approval letter is just the beginning, the real value comes next.
Once you’re fully pre-approved, we’ll schedule a Pre-Approval Consultation where we walk through:
- Your estimated monthly payment and cash to close.
- How your pre-approval strengthens your offer in a competitive Houston market.
- Any small adjustments that could potentially improve your buying power.
This conversation gives you clarity and confidence before you walk into your first showing with The Jamie McMartin Group.
And when you’re ready to make an offer, I can generate updated pre-approval letters quickly, so Jamie’s team can move fast, even on weekends.
Real talk about buying a home in Katy
Buying a home is exciting, but it can also feel overwhelming, especially in a fast-moving market like Katy.
Between work, family, and everything else life throws your way, it’s easy to push this step to the bottom of the list.
But getting pre-approved early means that when the right home pops up in your feed, you’re not scrambling, you’re ready.
The power of teamwork: Realtor + lender, aligned
When you work with The Jamie McMartin Group and The Megan Bludau Team at Contour Mortgage, you’re not just hiring a Realtor and a lender.
You’re getting a fully aligned strategy.
Together, we make sure your numbers, timing, and offer strategy work in sync, so you can shop with confidence and close with ease.
Ready to start your mortgage pre-approval?
Let’s make your homebuying journey simple, local, and stress-free.
👉 Start your pre-approval
👉 Connect with The Jamie McMartin Group
Megan Bludau
Mortgage Loan Officer | NMLS #2466297
Contour Mortgage
📧 [email protected]
📞 (817) 733-8792
📱 Instagram: @lendingwithmeg