Before you start looking for a home, you should have a lender pre-qualify you. This simply means your lender will estimate the maximum amount of money for which they may approve a mortgage. This will help you determine your price range.

Once you decide where to get your mortgage, have your lender preapprove you for a mortgage. This means your lender conditionally agrees to approve your mortgage even before you have selected your home. With this information in hand, you can confidently look for - and bid on - houses within your budget.

Click here for more information or visit your nearest HSBC Mortgage Corporation (USA) office to apply for a mortgage preapproval.