Before going out and shopping for houses it is super important that you get an idea to what you can spend. With houses selling relatively fast you have to know your budget. There is nothing more frustrating then looking for a house to purchase only to fall in love with one and find out after that you can not afford it because the necessary steps were not taken to safely secure a property. At this point the blame from the Buyer's may become directed at the real estate agent for not advising and suggesting next steps to make home ownership or move a reality. Not to mention the Buyer's may become discouraged with the whole process in general. Getting a pre-approval before house shopping will put you in a stronger position from a negotiating perspective as well as give you peace of mind knowing what you can truly afford. Based on your budget you will quickly be able to determine what you can afford in your budget. Bringing this reality to Buyer client's will be helpful for them and not detrimental. This will build trust with the Buyer's and will give them the security knowing that you are advocating for them and protecting their best interests.