Should I get pre-approved before looking at homes?

Pre-approval is one of the most important first steps in the homebuying process, and most experienced agents will ask to see it before showing you homes.

Why pre-approval matters before you shop:

• Know your real budget. You might think you can afford $350,000, but a lender might tell you $295,000. Or you might have more borrowing power than you expected. Either way, knowing your actual range prevents wasted time.

• Compete with other buyers. In most markets, sellers won't seriously consider an offer without a pre-approval letter. Without it, your offer is at a disadvantage, even if your price is competitive.

• Move quickly when you find the right home. Good homes move fast. If you find something you love, you need to be ready to make an offer immediately. Pre-approval means you can.

• Identify potential loan issues early. Sometimes the pre-approval process reveals a credit issue or documentation problem. Discovering this early gives you time to resolve it, rather than finding out after you're under contract.

What about just looking casually?

If you're 12+ months out from buying, browsing online without pre-approval is fine. But once you're actively attending showings, you should have pre-approval in hand first.

Talk to at least 2–3 lenders before committing to one. Rates and fees can vary more than buyers expect.