supposed to find a HML before or after? sry for dumb Question lol

[Jerry Fome]

Okay guys, so I've been stuck in "analysis paralysis" for 2 years but im finally really to just go. So please excuse me if I ask a few stupid questions here over the next month :P 

So heres the question im stuck on. Am I supposed to have a hard money lender lined up before putting offers, or do I contact lenders after I get a deal accepted? on one hand I feel I should have the lender lined up to be prepared, on the other hand I'm thinking that a HML wouldn't "pre-approve" you if you dont have a deal for him to look at lol.

Any help would be much appreciated :)