Frequently Asked Mortgage Questions Does the term "amortization" leave you perplexed? Are you unsure how preapproval differs from prequalification? If so, you're not alone. Here are some mortgage basics to help you become more familiar with the process. What's the difference between prequalification and preapproval? Getting prequalified is often the first step when searching for a home. You supply basic financial information, such as your income, assets and debts, and the lender then provides a preliminary estimate of the amount for which you may qualify. Preapproval involves an in-depth look at your finances and usually requires an application fee, but...