"Before you spend hours looking at homes online, take a little time to get pre-approved.

Knowing your budget makes the entire home-buying process easier.

You'll understand what payment fits comfortably into your monthly budget, and when you find the right house, you'll already have an important step completed.

I've seen buyers save themselves a lot of frustration simply by starting with a plan instead of jumping straight into house hunting.

Takeaway: Getting pre-approved isn't about pressure. It's about confidence."