As a buyer, what information should I be providing to a real estate agent?

[Jen Geisler]

When I'm starting to talk with real estate agents and they ask for more information about me, what should I be providing them?   I've been pre-approved and assume I should provide that info, but what else would be helpful that I can send right away during the "interview" process to prove I am seriously looking?  Should I be laying out all my financials right then and there?  Or do I need to wait until I've decided on one realtor to provide the deeper financial info?   Do I only reveal that I have $40k, when in reality, I have a total of $55k but that's for downpayment, closing, renovations, immediate fixes, emergency fund, etc?  What should I leave out, and what should I share?  

[Derrick E.]

I think pre-approval letter is all that’s needed to prove you are a qualified buyer.

They probably want info such as, are you married with kids, how many bedrooms you looking for etc. This is all info they can use to help narrow out the homes they know you wouldn’t want.

If you have 4 kids you aren’t interested in a 1BR.

just send them the pre-qualification letter and ask specifically what other info they want.