I need some help, kind of long

DH and I have been planning to start looking for houses. But I have a few questions/issues and need some advice.

1. I am unsure about the process. I am under the impression that we should get pre-approved for a mortgage before we start to look. Is this correct? If you get pre-approved are you obligated to get the actual mortgage from that bank?

2. I am a bit worried about my credit. In the past I struggled money-wise, and I now have only student loan debt and a very small credit card balance (which I am working to pay off, and I am not using the card). My credit card co. does this credit profile thing, which puts me at 600, which I know is not that good. BUT I don't know if that takes into consideration the fact that I have worked for the same organization and been at the same addy for 8 years, and I don't know if that makes much of a difference. I am sure DH will have a better score than that. Can we get a mortgage with only his score? How would that work?

YES get preapproved first. That gives you a starting off point, you will know what you can afford and what you can't. That way you wont waste your time falling in love with a house that is way beyond what you can spend (I know, it sucks...) But yes get preapproved right away.

Your credit scrore is a little low but hopefully just from late payments, etc. If there are any settlements against you that will be hard... If your DH's credit is good you shouldn't have a problem getting approved. What might happen is that you might have a slightly higher interest rate if you credit isn't that good.

Sit and talk with lenders, start off with the banks you have savings/checking accounts with and go from there.

If you belong to a credit union or have access to join one I would suggest you do that because they are non-profit and their interest rates are lower and so are closing costs.

Good luck :)