It can be a good idea to talk to a mortgage professional before house hunting so you can get pre-qualified before you actually apply for a loan. Pre-qualification can help you determine how much of a monthly mortgage payment you can afford, and how much loan you need. Pre-qualification will involve a combination of factors including your income and debts, your employment and residence situations, and the funds you have available for a down payment and any other required reserves.
Your real estate agent can help you decide on how much to offer for a home, but being pre-qualified gives you the confidence of know you can actually afford the house. Home sellers appreciate pre-qualified buyers because they don’t have to wonder if they're wasting their time because you can’t qualify for a mortgage to close the deal on the amount you're offering for the home. Pre-qualification allows buyers to make serious offers immediately and gives them the clout to follow through on the offers they make.