New to Home Buyers

I'm new to this home buying stuff so I have quick questions:

Did you have a mortgage before placing a bid on a home? We have been preapproved but have yet to look at mortgages etc.

Is it better to get the mortgage directly a bank or through a broker? How much do broker's ususally charge?

Did anyone here buy directly from the owner without using a real estate agent?

Thanks so much.

Pre approval can be to your advantage however from what I learned until you have a commitment letter from a bank you do not have a lender We are learing all of this becasue one of our mortgage guys is a friend and we are learing all the bank and mortgage brokers dirty little secrets.

Banks are good if you have a decent DP but brokers have access to more programs and can give better rates if you find a good company.
Many brokers charge 1% but some get pais by the bank so you dont have have to pay them directly..but sometimes their fee is disgused as an DISC fee