Gather these documents early to speed up the pre-approval process:

You don't have to do this alone; having experts in your corner is vital.

: Follow the 3-3-3 rule —have three months of living expenses saved and three months of mortgage payments in reserve. 2. Do Your Homework on the Market

: Plan for a down payment (ideally 20% to avoid private mortgage insurance) and closing costs, which typically range from 1.5% to 5% of the purchase price.

: A pre-approval letter shows sellers you are a serious buyer and have already arranged financing.