@alabamamortgageguy: Don't call a lender until you've done this. Including me. Most home buyers start by finding a realtor or getting pre-approved. Both matter. But there's one step that comes before either, and skipping it is how a dream house turns into a mortgage payment you resent. If you're a first-time home buyer trying to figure out how much house you can actually afford, watch this before you tour a single home. Buying with your spouse? Send this to them.