It’s a very good idea to get a pre-approved mortgage before you start shopping. Many realtors will ask if you’ve been approved. A lender will look at your finances and figure the amount of mortgage you can afford. Then the lender will give you a written confirmation, or certificate, for a fixed interest rate. This confirmation will be good for a specific period of time. A pre-approved mortgage is not a guarantee of being approved for the mortgage loan. Even if you haven’t found the home you want to buy, having a pre-approved mortgage amount will help keep a good price range in mind. Bring these with you the first time you meet with a lender: Your personal information, including identification such as your driver’s license, Details on your job, including confirmation of salary in the form of a letter from your employer, All your sources of income, Information and details on all bank accounts, loans and other debts, Proof of financial assets, Source and amount of down payment and deposit, Proof of source of funds to cover the closing costs.