Yes, you can get pre-approved for a mortgage before finding a home. In fact, many real estate agents require you to get pre-approved before you shop for a home. A preapproval can give you a much better idea of how much house you can truly afford. The preapproval process is essentially a mortgage application, so your lender or loan officer will want to take a comprehensive look at your finances and debt-to-income ratio. You should be prepared to provide information on the following 

1. Proof of income

2. Employment history and possible verification

3. Proof of assets

4. Credit history

5. Identification

A preapproval is helpful when you’re shopping for a home. But you’ll need to get a full approval once you find your home. Your lender will need to review property details for a home loan approval.