Buying a home is one of the biggest financial decisions you can make. And in today's market, it's not always easy to find the perfect house that fits your needs, budget and schedule. That said, there are some steps you can take before you even begin looking for a home that will help you find the right one faster and reduce stress during the home-buying process. Here is a big tip for first time home buyers: Get pre-approved for a mortgage loan. The most important step to buying your first home is getting pre-approved for a mortgage loan. This means that you've met with your lender and they've determined what type of loan you qualify for based on your income and debt ratio. If they approve your application, they'll give you an estimate of how much money they think they'll lend you based on these numbers. The benefit of getting pre-approved is that it gives sellers confidence in buying from you because they know how much money they're going to get when the house sells; it also allows them to give their agent permission to show their house to someone who has been pre-approved, which makes it easier for them to sell their house quickly; and it helps ensure that if there's something wrong with the application or your financial situation, the lender can fix it before you get to closing. Our Dream City Realty agents are always happy to help you get started!