All too often home buyers will contact a real estate agent about looking at homes they found online, before getting themselves pre-approved for a mortgage loan.  Buyers are doing this backwards.

I can understand why this happens, because a couple sees a home they really like and the first point of contact is the real estate company information.

In the current real estate market, sellers know that lending is harder to come by for buyers.  Because of this, they are requiring a pre-approval letter before accepting an offer to purchase contract.  Real estate agents know this as well and most tell the buyer to take the time to get pre-approved, before they start to look at homes.

Buyers, take the time to get pre-approved and know your financing options for a loan, so you know what kind of house you can afford.  Real estate agents will be glad you took this step, the correct step first!