Do I need a realtor before talking to a lender?
You can do either first, but I usually suggest talking to a lender early to get pre-approved — it tells you your budget. Then a realtor guides everything else. Many buyers loop both of us in around the same time.
Honestly, it works either way, and the two of us work as a team. A lot of buyers talk to a lender first to get pre-approved, because that tells you the budget you're comfortable with before you fall for a house.
That said, reaching out to me first costs you nothing and can save you steps — I can connect you with trusted local lenders, explain the road ahead, and make sure you start on the right foot. Either order is fine. The point is to get both pieces in place before you're seriously shopping.
This answer is general education, not legal, tax, or financial advice. Your situation is unique — let's talk through the specifics together.