3. Get a Pre-Approval from a Lender

There’s nothing worse than finding your dream home, only to be declined for a mortgage loan from a lender. Save yourself the time, effort, and heartache by getting a pre-approval prior to looking at the homes for sale. Lenders can also help you determine what loan programs are best for you and what you can do to ensure you get qualified for that loan. More importantly, they can inform you if you qualify for the loan amount you want.