The Home Buying Process For years people shopped for a home with a real estate agent and didn't involve the lender until after a house was selected. Today, there's a much smarter way to shop. Get First Choice Mortgage involved with you and your agent from the start. First Choice Mortgage can help you determine how much home you can afford so you and your agent know your price range right away. Plus we can: Pre-approve you for a loan — a valuable negotiating tool when you're bidding on a home* Provide rate protection that holds a rate for you for up to 30 days while you shop for a home and locks it in for an additional 45 days (60 days for FHA and VA loans) during the loan process** Here are seven steps we recommend for selecting and purchasing a new home. Follow them and you'll enjoy a better home buying experience. You'll be hanging curtains and arranging furniture in your new home a lot sooner.  1 Determine your price range  2 Get pre-approved for a loan  3 Protect your rate  4 Select a real estate agent  5 Shop for a home  6 Make an offer  7 Complete the purchase