{"id":109517,"date":"2026-04-02T09:07:40","date_gmt":"2026-04-02T16:07:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/?p=109517"},"modified":"2026-04-02T09:09:01","modified_gmt":"2026-04-02T16:09:01","slug":"should-i-find-an-agent-or-lender-first","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/should-i-find-an-agent-or-lender-first\/","title":{"rendered":"Should I Find a Real Estate Agent or Lender First? A Guide for First Time Home Buyers"},"content":{"rendered":"<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Key takeaways<\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Finding a <\/span><b>real estate agent first<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> helps you understand the market and get referrals to lenders.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Finding a <\/span><b>lender first<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> can help you set your budget, get preapproved, and move quickly when you&#8217;re ready to make an offer.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You\u2019ll likely work with both, and many buyers start finding an agent and lender around the same time.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There are plenty of tasks to accomplish before officially beginning your home search. Aside from working on your finances, making a budget, and creating your wish list, you\u2019ll need to find a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/real-estate-agents\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">real estate agent<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and a lender. So, should you find a real estate agent or lender first?<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In this Redfin article, we\u2019ll cover the pros and cons of finding a real estate agent or a lender first and how you can expect them to work together when you buy your first home. Whether you\u2019re looking for a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/city\/30772\/OR\/Portland\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">home in Portland, OR<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, or a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/city\/16904\/CA\/San-Diego\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">condo in San Diego, CA<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, here\u2019s what you need to know about choosing which to prioritize first.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Should I find an agent or lender first?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Most homebuyers will work with both, so ultimately it depends on what works best for you. If your priority is understanding your budget, starting with a lender can make sense. If your priority is understanding the market and available homes, starting with an agent can be helpful. You\u2019ll likely want to commit to a real estate agent before looking at homes and have at least one lender you\u2019re considering working with.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It\u2019s a good idea to interview a few agents to find the right fit to make sure they align with your goals, understand the local area, and have a similar communication style. There are plenty of <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/questions-to-ask-when-buying-a-house\/\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">questions to ask a real estate agent<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> before deciding to work with them. The same goes for lenders, as loan terms, rates, and fees can vary from lender to lender.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In many cases, it\u2019s best to start looking for a real estate agent and a lender around the same time. That way, you can understand your budget while also getting a feel for the market. Chances are you\u2019ll commit to one before the other, but having both in motion early can help you move more confidently.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Keep in mind that many homebuyers will sign a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/is-a-buyers-agency-agreement-required\/\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">buyer\u2019s agency agreement<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> with an agent before touring any homes. On the other hand, you\u2019re not committed to working with a lender until you formally apply for a mortgage. You can continue to shop around to get a few quotes before officially choosing a lender.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What does a real estate agent do?<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A real estate agent is a licensed professional who assists buyers or sellers in a real estate transaction. Your real estate agent should have local insight, help you find homes that meet your wants and needs, write an offer on a property, and help you negotiate the purchase.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What does a lender do?<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A mortgage lender is a financial institution, like a mortgage company, bank, or credit union, that offers loans for home purchases. Lenders help evaluate your finances, determine your budget and loan options, issue preapproval, and manage the underwriting process..\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pros and cons of finding a real estate agent first<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There are benefits and drawbacks to finding a real estate agent before a lender. Here are some things to consider:<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pros of finding an agent first<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><b>Narrow down your home search: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You\u2019ll work closely with your agent to determine what you\u2019re looking for in a home, potential neighborhoods, price range, and more. Having an agent early on can help you narrow down homes that meet your criteria.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Get insight into the local market:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> A good real estate agent will have deep knowledge of the local market. Working with an agent first can help you understand what areas are competitive, what homes are selling for, and how to stand out in your offer.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Connect you to a lender:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Agents often have trusted lenders that they work with frequently. Your agent can help connect you with a local lender that may offer better loan terms, rates, and more.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cons of finding an agent first<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><b>May not be able to move quickly on a home: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Many sellers don\u2019t accept offers without a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/mortgage-pre-approval\/\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">pre-approval<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. If you don\u2019t have a lender and a pre-approval ready, you may not be able to make a competitive offer \u2013 this is why it\u2019s often helpful to line up a lender at the same time.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Your budget isn\u2019t confirmed:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> If you don\u2019t have a pre-approval in hand, your agent may not be able to show you homes in your actual budget. It could mean you find your dream home, only to learn that you don\u2019t qualify for that loan amount.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pros and cons of finding a lender first<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Likewise, there are pros and cons of finding a lender before an agent. Let\u2019s look at them:<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pros of finding a lender first<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><b>Clear budget: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Getting pre-approved by a lender first can give you a clear budget of <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/what-is-my-home-worth\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">how much you can afford<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> before touring homes. Knowing what homes truly fit into your budget is a great way to keep your home search realistic.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Connect you to an agent: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lenders are familiar with agents in their area, particularly agents that have a proven record of getting an offer accepted and closing on a home. Your lender can connect you with an agent based on your goals and budget.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Ability to make an offer fast: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">With a lender ready to go and a pre-approval in hand, you can move quickly once you find the right home. From making an offer to applying for a mortgage, having a lender ready can help move things along.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cons of finding a lender first<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><b>Risk of pre-approval expiring: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Your pre-approval only lasts for a certain amount of time due to potential changes in interest rates and your overall finances. If you don\u2019t find the right agent or home before your pre-approval expires, you\u2019ll need to pay for another one. Getting a second pre-approval also results in another credit pull.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Lack of competitive loan terms:<\/b> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/how-to-choose-a-mortgage-lender\/\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Choosing a lender<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> first may not always get you the best loan terms. Your real estate agent can likely give you recommendations for local lenders who have good loan terms, reduced fees, or other perks. Keep in mind you can change lenders before officially applying for a mortgage.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How do your agent and lender work together?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Your lender and agent will undoubtedly work together, so open communication between both parties will make the process that much easier. If there are any issues along the way, your lender and agent should have a line of communication to provide updates, pending paperwork, or other deadlines.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">At the end of the day, your agent and lender both want you to succeed in <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/guides\/buy\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">purchasing your first home<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Whether you find an agent or lender first depends on your timeline and connections, but each has its pros and cons to consider as you begin the process. <\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Should you find an agent or lender first? Find out the pros and cons of finding an agent or lender first and how they help you buy a home. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":537,"featured_media":82654,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"default","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"set","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[34276,10756],"tags":[34529,34629,34617],"coauthors":[33440],"class_list":["post-109517","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-buying-a-home","category-featured-post","tag-buying-faq","tag-first-time-homebuyer","tag-home-buying-process"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v24.7 (Yoast SEO v27.9) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Should I Find a Real Estate Agent or Lender First? | Redfin<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Should you find an agent or lender first? 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