When a credit card offer mentions that someone is pre-qualified or pre-approved, it typically means they've met the initial criteria required to become a cardholder. But they still need to apply and get approved. Think of these offers as invitations to start the actual application process.

Getting pre-approved for a loan only means that you meet the lender's basic requirements at a specific moment in time. Circumstances can change, and it is possible to be denied for a mortgage after pre-approval. If this happens, do not despair.

Pre-qualifying is just the first step. It gives you an idea of how large a loan you'll likely qualify for. Pre-approval is the second step, a conditional commitment to actually grant you the mortgage.

Getting prequalified doesn't guarantee an approval. But if you're able to apply for prequalification with a soft inquiry (or no inquiry), it's generally a good idea. If you get denied at this stage, you'll know you can move on and avoid the hard inquiry that accompanies a formal application.

There's not a lot of difference between a prequalification letter and a preapproval letter. While there are some legal distinctions, in practice both terms refer to a letter from a lender that says the lender is generally willing to lend to you, up to a certain amount and based on certain assumptions.

While a pre-approval doesn't guarantee you'll get a mortgage, being pre-approved does have some advantages. Here are three reasons you might want a mortgage pre-approval: It gives you confidence in your search. When you know how much mortgage you can afford, you can look for houses within your budget.