What first-time buyers should line up before the search

The search goes better when three things are settled before the first viewing.

The money

Talk to a lender or broker first. A pre-approval tells you what you can borrow, what it will cost each month, and how long the rate is held. It also tells a seller your offer is real.

The paperwork

Identification, proof of income and a record of your down payment will be asked for more than once. Keep copies together.

The priorities

Write down what you need, what you would like, and what you would give up. The list changes after the first few viewings, and that is the point of writing it down early.

When those three are in place, we start looking. Any of us can help.