If you've reached out to Winner Realty to see a house, one of the first things we'll ask for is a pre-approval letter or proof of funds, plus a copy of your photo ID. We know that can feel like a lot before you've even seen the place. So here's the honest reason we do it, what counts, and how it actually helps you win the house you want.

The short version

We ask every buyer for the same three things before a private showing:

• A mortgage pre-approval letter, or proof of funds if you're paying cash
• A copy of a driver's license or other government photo ID
• A good phone number, which our agent will verify before meeting you

Everybody. First-time buyers, investors, people relocating from across the country, people we've worked with before. Safety is our number one priority at Winner Realty, and the only way to do that fairly is to do it the same way for everyone.

Why we ask for pre-approval or proof of funds before showing a house

Real talk: when one of our agents shows you a house, they're stepping away from something to do it. Some of them leave their kids with a babysitter. Some of them step away from another job or another client. Some of them miss dinner with their family. That time costs something real, and we want to spend it on buyers who are ready to move when the right house shows up.

A pre-approval letter or proof of funds tells us you've got skin in the game. It doesn't mean you have to buy the first house you see, or the tenth. It just means you've done the first serious step, and our agent can focus on finding you the right place instead of wondering if this trip is for real.

It helps you, too, in a few big ways.

• You know your real budget. A lender tells you what you can actually borrow and what the monthly payment looks like, so you're not falling in love with houses outside your range.
• Your offer gets taken seriously. In Louisville, sellers and listing agents almost always want a pre-approval letter or proof of funds attached to an offer. If you already have it, you can write an offer the same day you see the house.
• You move faster than the other buyers. When a good house hits the market, the buyer who's ready to go usually wins.

What counts as a pre-approval or proof of funds

If you're getting a mortgage

We need a pre-approval letter from a mortgage lender. A pre-approval means a lender actually looked at your income, credit, and assets. A pre-qualification from an online calculator isn't the same thing and won't carry much weight with a seller.

If you don't have one yet, that's completely fine. Start with our guide on how to get pre-approved for a mortgage in Kentucky, or fill out our pre-approval request and we'll connect you with a lender we trust. Want to see what a payment looks like first? Try our monthly mortgage payment calculator.

If you're paying cash

Send a recent bank or brokerage statement in your name that shows enough to close. Black out the account numbers. We only need to see your name, the date, and the balance.

If you're an investor using hard money or private lending

A letter from your lender showing you're approved for the purchase works great.

Why we ask for a copy of your ID

Real estate agents meet strangers at empty houses for a living. According to the National Association of REALTORS®, 86% of agents show properties alone, and about 31% of agents have felt unsafe during a showing. A copy of your ID lets our agent and our office know exactly who's coming to the showing and where everyone is.

Here's what we promise in return:

• We will never ask for your Social Security number for a showing. Ever.
• Your ID is stored securely and only used to confirm who's coming.
• It doesn't get shared with sellers, posted anywhere, or passed around.

Why we verify your phone number

Our agents use an app called Forewarn, a safety tool provided to Louisville-area REALTORS® through the Greater Louisville Association of REALTORS®. It lets an agent confirm that a phone number belongs to the person they're about to meet. Most of the time it takes a few seconds and you'll never even know it happened.

It's the same reason your bank texts you a code before you log in. Nobody's accusing you of anything. It's just how careful people do business now.

We do this for every buyer, the same way

This matters to us. Fair housing laws exist because, for a long time, some agents asked certain buyers for extra paperwork and waved others right through. That's wrong, and it's illegal.

So our rule isn't "screen the buyers who make us nervous." It's screen every buyer, the same way, with the same three things, before the first private showing. Same questions, same requirements, same service. You get treated exactly like everyone else, and so does everyone else.

Protect yourself from wire fraud before you close

While we're talking about safety, here's the single most important thing a homebuyer can know. The FBI received 12,368 real estate fraud complaints in 2025 with more than $275 million in losses. One of the most common scams hits right before closing: a criminal sends you an email that looks like it's from your title company or your agent with "updated" wiring instructions. You wire your down payment, and it's gone.

Our rule, and it should be yours:

• Wiring instructions never change by email. Period.
• Before you wire a single dollar, call the title company at a phone number you already know, not one in the email, and confirm the instructions out loud.
• If anything feels rushed or off, stop and text or email your agent.
• If it happens to you, call your bank immediately and file a report at ic3.gov. The faster you act, the better the chance the money can be frozen.

Ready to start looking?

If you've got your pre-approval or proof of funds ready, you're already ahead of most buyers. Text us at (502) 305-8915 or email Rob@thewinnerrealty.com with the houses you want to see and we'll get you scheduled. Still working on your financing? That's where we start. We'll help you get pre-approved, figure out your budget, and build a search around what you actually want.

Selling a home too? Here is how we screen buyers and protect sellers during showings. And if you are an agent, here is the full safety standard our agents follow.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a pre-approval letter to look at houses?

For a private showing with a Winner Realty agent, yes, or proof of funds if you're paying cash. We ask every buyer for the same thing. If you don't have one yet, we'll help you get one.

What's the difference between pre-qualification and pre-approval?

A pre-qualification is a quick estimate, often from an online form. A pre-approval means a lender actually reviewed your income, credit, and assets. Sellers take pre-approval letters much more seriously.

What counts as proof of funds for a cash buyer?

A recent bank or brokerage statement in your name showing enough money to close. You can black out the account numbers.

Why does a realtor need a copy of my driver's license?

It's a safety step so the agent and the office know exactly who they're meeting. We ask every buyer, store it securely, and only use it to confirm identity. We never ask for a Social Security number.

Is it legal for a realtor to require pre-approval before a showing?

Yes, as long as the requirement is applied to every buyer the same way. That's exactly how we do it.

How do I avoid wire fraud when buying a house?

Never trust wiring instructions sent by email. Always call your title company at a number you already know and confirm the instructions before sending money.