Can you explain what a preapproval for a mortgage is and how it differs from prequalification?

A preapproval for a mortgage is a lender's commitment to loan you a specific amount of money based on a thorough review of your financial information. It involves a credit check and verification of your income and assets. Prequalification, on the other hand, is an estimate of how much you may be able to borrow based on basic information you provide to a lender, without a detailed review. A preapproval is a stronger indication of your ability to secure a loan compared to prequalification.