Looking for rental properties without being pre-approved

[Alicia Harrington]

Today I was having a discussion with a realtor in reference to checking out a few properties.  He asked if I was pre-approved. Do I have to get a pre-approval letter in order to check out properties?  What if I don't want my credit to be pulled at the moment, especially if I'm only looking.  I do understand that if I'm financing a property the bank will only loan me so much.  Are there any mortgage brokers here that can give me an idea without running my credit?  Or do I need to give him a preapproval letter before I can start looking.