1. Get Pre-Approved, Not Pre-Qualified Do not start seriously searching until you have a lender-verified pre-approval letter. Sellers often ignore offers that are only "pre-qualified" because the information hasn't been verified. A pre-approval shows you are a serious, capable buyer and strengthens your negotiating position. 2. Seek Out "Nasty" Homes in Nice Neighborhoods Look for homes that need significant cosmetic repair ("TLC") in desirable areas. Often, these homes si
