Name: Budget Sidekick
Availability: InStock
Rating: 4.8 (347 reviews)

Question 1

What happens after I submit?

Accepted Answer

You'll be matched with licensed mortgage lenders who can offer pre-approval for conventional, FHA, VA, and USDA loans. Most lenders respond within 1-3 business days. There's no obligation—you can compare offers and choose what works for you.

Question 2

Will filling out this form affect my credit score?

Accepted Answer

No. Filling out this form does not run a credit check. You self-report your credit score. A licensed broker will share advice based on their experience, walk you through your options, and help you decide next steps. If you'd like to move forward, they'll verify what you've reported—that's when a credit check happens. One of the benefits of starting with a broker: you get guidance first, without any impact on your credit.

Question 3

What's the minimum credit score required?

Accepted Answer

Lenders typically like to see 680 or above—that's considered good and opens up the best options. But government-backed programs like FHA loans exist for credit scores as low as 500. A broker can help you understand where you stand and what's available for your situation.

Question 4

How can I check my credit without hurting my score?

Accepted Answer

You can check your credit on your own reliably—free tools like Credit Karma let you monitor your score and get instant notifications on changes, with no impact on your credit. After speaking with a broker, they can help you decide if your credit is adequate or if it makes sense to wait and boost it first. We have guides to help: our 90-day credit boost and credit card optimization guides can put you in a stronger position. With modern tools, you never have to suffer a meaningful rate drop from shopping until you're ready.

Question 5

What documents will I need?

Accepted Answer

None right now. Everything is self-reported—no paperwork to dig up, no documents to upload. Just answer a few quick questions and you're done. One of the perks of starting with a broker: fast, easy, and you can do it from your phone.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What happens after I submit?

Will filling out this form affect my credit score?

What's the minimum credit score required?

How can I check my credit without hurting my score?

What documents will I need?