Which comes first, the property or the funding?

[Rob Javins]

I'm sure this has been asked before and I apologize for the newbie question. How do I get a realtor to talk to me if I see an ad in the MLS I am interested in to buy as an investment if I don't have funding arranged. And how do i arrange funding if I don't have a property lined up yet. Most realtors seem to want proof of funds before they will even talk you. Most lenders want to know the particulars on a property before committing to funding. Maybe I am making this too complicated, I hope.