Have you talked with your lender?

One of the first steps to take when considering a purchase, is to talk with a lender that you are comfortable with. Perhaps you have a friend or relative that has recently obtained a loan or you plan to use a lender that you have worked with before. If you don't have a lender in mind, your REALTOR can suggest some for you.

Knowing where you stand financially before beginning to look at property is helpful. This ensures that you know what you can afford and which financing option will be best for you. If you walk into your dream home and want to make an offer right away, your chances of getting a ratified contract is much greater if you have your lender prepared to provide you with a pre-approval letter.

Akarion Realty suggests using a local lender.