Obtaining Loan Approval before you start to search for your home is essential. (Unless, of course, you are purchasing the home in cash, in which case you can go straight to the Home Search section.)
Until you know the amount of the loan you are willing to place on the house, your agent cannot begin the home search for you. There are some variables in this decision, such as cash investment, interest rate at the time, if you are selling another property, etc. You and the agent can discuss this when you meet.