How to apply for a loan?

[Camron Cottam]

I've never gone to apply for a loan before and quiet honestly have no idea how the process works. I've tried to get "pre-approved" (and wasn't able to) a little while ago and am in a different financial situation now and feel as though I could get pre approved. Should I do this before walking into somewhere and asking for a loan? Which brings me to my next question. I've come to the understanding that I will have better luck getting a loan from local lenders. So do I just walk into there office with my plan and say hey I want a loan: this is why, this is why it's going to work, or what? Like I said, I just have absolutely no idea how this process works and would like to get a little run down on what to expect so I'm not walking into this situation completely blind.