When should I get pre-approved for a home loan?

Many Homebuyers put themselves through unnecessary stress in their homebuying process by choosing their home before they choose their lender.  As a homebuyer you should always secure your home loan before you begin shopping for a home.  Getting a true pre-approval from a respected local lender not only gives you the confidence of a cash buyer, it also will ensure that you are able to choose the right loan for you and your family without added pressure that comes once a purchase contract is signed.  Additionally,over 90% of all credit reports contain some type of error that could delay your transaction or even worse cause you to not be able to close the home. No one like's delays and there are enough things to worry about when you are looking to move into a new home.  When obtaining your pre-approval you will be able to find out exactly how much you are qualified for and what your payments will be.  In my opinion regardless of what your lender says you can qualify for, you should choose a payment range that you and your family are comfortable with and that matches your long term goals.  Don't stretch yourself too thin.  Your home can be a great investment but it shouldn't be your only one.