Get pre-approval
Before you start looking, meet with your Loan Officer to get pre-approved for a loan amount. The lender gathers information about your income, assets and debts to determine how much house you may be able to afford.
Typically required: credit report, W-2 forms, pay stubs, federal tax returns and recent bank statements. There are a variety of loan programs, so make sure to get pre-qualification for the specific programs that best suit your needs.