If you are not a seasonal buyer and entered the market for the first time, then getting a pre approval would be extremely fruitful. You would get a fair idea that what apartment you may look for an amount you can manage. However, for the sake of buying a home, a serious buyer shall get a pre approval. The only issue with it is that you would have to take a little pain and provide your financial information to a lender and wait for some days. But once you get the approval letter, you would have an edge over your competitors as it reflects your readiness for purchasing a property.