I kind of see the pre-approval as a reality check for what’s possible—just not what’s comfortable.
That’s exactly how I felt when I got my pre-approval. The number was way higher than I’d ever consider spending, but it did help me figure out my actual range. I get the “trust your gut” thing, but if I’d only listened to my nerves, I’d have missed out on a place that’s actually affordable for me. Sometimes you need both—gut check and hard numbers. The spreadsheet isn’t always the enemy... it’s just not the whole story.
I remember getting my pre-approval letter and thinking, “Wait, they’d actually lend me that much?” It felt like Monopoly money. I had to double-check if they’d seen my coffee habit on my bank statements. But honestly, it did help me see what was possible, even if I knew I’d never want to max it out. Anyone else ever feel like the bank’s idea of “affordable” is a little... optimistic? I swear, my spreadsheet and my gut have had more arguments than I care to admit.