Where to Start

1. Estimate Your Budget (Pre‐Qualification): Share basic income, asset, and debt details with a lender to get a ballpark figure of how much you might borrow. No hard credit check required.
2. Lock in Your Financing (Pre‐Approval): Submit verified documents (pay stubs, W‐2s, bank statements) for a credit check and receive a written commitment for a specific loan amount, giving you (and sellers) confidence.
3. Clarify Must‐Haves vs. Nice‐to‐Haves: List non‐negotiable features (bedrooms, single‐story layout, proximity) separately from optional perks (pool, den) to keep your search focused and realistic.