What comes first?

[Kewin Garabito]

  Hey my Bp people,

  I was thinking, could one start real estate shopping before even getting approved from a bank for a mortgage? Or does the process of searching for real estate must include having a loan first?

   I'm looking at a property now and was wondering if I should go to a bank first or go check out the property and see if I like it. I have a 700+ credit score, close to 20% for the down payment and the property isn't that expensive because it's a *handyman special* so I'm not sure what to do. I'm sure I'll get approved (HOPEFULLY) but I don't want to wait around and then have someone else buy it instead ya know? WHAT SHOULD MY NEXT STEP BE?!