Thinking of buying a home? The best step to make is to start talking to a loan officer and to check on your credit. Before taking on the big decision of buying, you better know if you are able to buy, or if you are not able just yet, it is best to know how much time it will take you before you can start.

Once you start actively working on the financing end, now is the time to jump start and work with a realtor. They can get the ball rolling for you; what is available at your price range and with the qualities you are looking for. This is going to take awhile (as yes buying is a big deal, it is where you might be staying for a long time)

That way, once your financing is done you will already have the home picked out and can take the final steps to buying. Once you are pre approved you only have one month to act on this! So waiting until you are pre approved is not the best time to start picking a realtor, one month is not a lot of time as you will be haggling with the sellers of the home in regards to price, prior contract conditions, move in date, etc.) It is better to have your options narrowed down before the pre approval point.