You've played with the many tools and calculators on this site. You have a sense of what you can afford and what different mortgages have to offer.

Now it's time for you to get pre-approved.

Pre-approved means a lender has looked at your financial information and agreed to lend up to a specific, maximum mortgage amount. The lender gives you a written commitment you can show to real estate agents and home sellers. It's proof you can afford to buy a home. Approach several lenders or consider using a mortgage broker to compare offers and interest rates.

Once you have a pre-approval, you can make offers with confidence. You'll have more leverage in the negotiating process and home sellers will take you seriously.