If you are serious about buying a home, have your preapproval at hand when you start talking to agents.
Because preapprovals are hard credit inquiries, minimize the hit by applying to all lenders within a short period, e.g., 30 to 45 days. It will only count as one hard pull on your credit. If you are serious about buying a home, have your preapproval at hand when you start talking to agents.