It's important to know your budget before you begin house looking or even considering your needs and preferences in a property.One of the biggest mistakes a first-time home buyer can make is having their heart set on a particular house just to find out they can't afford it. That is why getting pre-approved or pre-qualified with a mortgage lender should be the first step in your home-buying process. Lenders assess your income, credit, and debt to determine how much house you