Investing Strategy and Mortgage Preapproval

[Kathryn Click]

Should I get preapproved/mortgage shop before I figure out my strategy? Since it will impact it if I can only get enough for a SFH vs a multi? I don't want to start the preapproval rate shop window until I'm ready to commit to at least an idea of what I want but also feel like I am assuming I'd be approved for whatever amounts I see at the moment (which is obviously not true). I don't want to hurt my credit by applying to mortgages if I don't end up buying a house rn for whatever reason.