Pre-Approval for a Home Loan
The first step in the home buying process is getting pre-approved for a home loan. Having the pre-approval shows Realtors and home sellers that you are serious about buying, know what you can afford, and are prepared to move forward. No matter what the job, no one likes to have his or her time wasted or work for free unless it is volunteer work! Establish a good working relationship with your Realtor by showing him or her the courtesy of taking care of this critical first step before expecting to be shown homes. You will not only know the amount a bank is willing to lend you, you will discover any problems with your credit history that need to be taken care of and there will be no unpleasant surprises down the road! 
Shirley Parks
Realty Executives Alamo
210-414-0966
Hablamos español.
As an SRES® designee, I have received additional education on such topics as tax laws, probate, estate planning, equity conversion strategies, and can offer you information on current market trends as well as valuable resources regarding real estate transactions.
Howdy there Shirley
My friend, you sure are right about folks wonting to buy a home.
Need to Take the first step toward buying a home, to get themself pre-approved. Just like a seller of a home, should make sure the water and electric, and the AC and Furnace are ready to go, on inspection day. For the same reason, no one likes their time wasted. I had an inspection of a home today, that I've to go back to now, just because the sellers do not live there. And had the water and electric turned off, and did not have them turned back on, for the buyers home inspection.
Very helpful post, that all home buying folks should take time to read.
Shirley - Time is precious. By being pre-approved; and know how much you have to work with certainly with make the entire transaction go more smoothly.
Here Here! Shirley! It is so important to take that first step. It saves everyone time and frustration in the long run.
Excellent advice Shirley. Make sure there arent any snags from the start.
So true Shirley, This will save everyone time and trouble.
Even in this market, if a buyer is serious about buying a home, it is a good idea not only get pre-approved but actually go through the application process and get a commitment from a lender pending their finding a home (that appraises, of course)
In our market and in many others, when a home comes on that is priced right, in a good location & in good condition - there are multiple offers on the table soon after listing. These homes are closing in 90-120 days or less.
Why not beat out the competition as close to the starting line as possible?
Agreed Shirley. I will not work with a buyer unless they are willing to get a pre-approval.
Shirley, a preapproval allows the buyer to leap when they find the deal of the century too... If they are not preapproved, they will have to take that step before submitting a contract on the home they love and in this market the good deals still go first, often fast. Great advice.