NEW YORK CITY, NY / ACCESS Newswire / July 5, 2025 / When you're thinking about borrowing money - whether for a car, a house or even emergency bills - there's one step that could save you time and stress: prequalifying.

If you're looking into loans in Dallas, it may help to know where you stand before you apply. Prequalifying isn't a promise you'll be approved, but it could give you a strong idea of your chances.

Here are seven reasons why checking to see if you're prequalified for a loan before you submit an application might work in your favor.

1. You may get a better idea of how much you can borrow
Prequalifying shows you the loan amount or range of possible loans that a lender might offer you, which could help you set a clear budget. For example, if you're looking for a new car, you'll get an idea of what price range you can afford before you fall in love with a vehicle that's financially out of reach.

2. You could help protect your credit score
Submitting an application for a loan often leads to a "hard" credit check, also known as a hard pull, which could cause a small dip in your credit score. A hard pull generally happens when a lender performs a full credit inquiry on your credit history to decide whether to lend you funds.

On the other hand, checking to see if you're prequalified for a loan typically involves a "soft" credit check, which doesn't affect your score. A soft inquiry or soft pull generally happens when you check your own credit report, for example. A soft inquiry means you can explore your loan options without harming your credit.

3. You could compare loan offers more easily
Once you prequalify, you may get several loan offers from different lenders. Getting multiple offers may make it easier to compare interest rates (the cost of borrowing), fees and other terms of the loans. With more information, you could make a better decision for yourself and choose the loan that best fits your needs.

4. You could spot potential problems early on
When you prequalify, you might find out that you need to look at your credit report to see if there's anything that could hurt your chances of securing a loan. Learning more about your financial history could give you time to fix these issues - like paying down credit card balances - before you officially apply for a loan.

5. You may have more time to ask questions
Prequalifying gives you a chance to talk to lenders without rushing through the process. You can ask questions about payment schedules, fees or different loan types before you're locked into anything. Having extra time to learn about and better understand your options could make all the difference in finding the loan that works best for you.

6. You may save time during the application process
Prequalifying means you've already shared some basic financial information with lenders, which might speed up the official application process. You'll probably spend less time digging up documents and answering questions you've already gone over.

Prequalifying could help you ensure you have all the necessary documents and paperwork ready to go, such as proof of identity, proof of income and bank statements.

7. You might feel more confident
When you know you could prequalify for a loan, you may walk into the loan application process with more confidence. You'll already have an idea of which lenders may be willing to work with you, which could take away some of the worry.

Keep calm and prequalify on

Checking to see if you prequalify for a loan before you actually apply is often a smart move. It helps you stay informed, protects your credit score and helps you make more confident choices about your financial condition. By taking this simple step, you might avoid surprises during the application process and find the loan that best fits your needs.

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SOURCE: OneMain Financial