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When should I get pre-approved for a mortgage?
Hi. I've heard that I need to get pre-approved for mortgage before I get a house. But when do I get pre-approved for a mortgage? How long before I start looking for a home do I need to start pre-approval? Or can I get pre-approved while looking for a home?
Asked By Santiago | Tempe, AZ | 199 views | Buying | Updated 1 week ago
Answers (7)
Amanda Courtney
REP Realty Group
Get pre-approved one to four months before you start touring homes. In 2026, most letters expire after 90 days. You need this letter in hand before you step into a house; sellers today will not even look at an offer without a verified pre-approval, and in competitive areas, you may need to submit your offer within hours of a home hitting the market.
- 1 week ago
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Chris Nevada
Nevada Real Estate Group - LPT Realty
Most people get pre‑approved right before they start seriously touring homes and making offers, not months and months ahead of time.
Pre‑approvals usually last about 60–90 days, so a good rule is to get pre‑approved within 1–3 months of when you’re ready to actively shop, and yes, you can finalize or update your pre‑approval while you’re looking at homes too.
Pre‑approvals usually last about 60–90 days, so a good rule is to get pre‑approved within 1–3 months of when you’re ready to actively shop, and yes, you can finalize or update your pre‑approval while you’re looking at homes too.
- 4 days ago
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Bonnie Irby
Bonnie Irby Berkshire Hathaway Homeservices NW Real Estate
The most empowering approach for the buyer, in my professional opinion is to address the loan qualification well before you find your dream home.
You want to approach this process logically, know what you’re comfortable with, what your limit looks like realistically. Most people are not comfortable with their top end qualification, you’ll want to build a plan around what you can reasonably handle.
Explore different loan options and understand what strategically what serves you best.
Then connect with a skilled, experienced Realtor (subject matter expert) in your area. Interview a few, ask questions, ask for their advice and gauge how you feel talking with them.
You want to approach this process logically, know what you’re comfortable with, what your limit looks like realistically. Most people are not comfortable with their top end qualification, you’ll want to build a plan around what you can reasonably handle.
Explore different loan options and understand what strategically what serves you best.
Then connect with a skilled, experienced Realtor (subject matter expert) in your area. Interview a few, ask questions, ask for their advice and gauge how you feel talking with them.
- 6 days ago
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Trevor Mapes
HomeSmart Pros Real estate
Such a great question and one I get all the time! Here's my straight answer: get pre-approved before you start looking. Not during, not after you find something you love. Before.
Here's why. The market moves fast and when you find the right home you need to be ready to move. Sellers are not going to wait around while you figure out financing, especially in a competitive market. Walking in pre-approved tells everyone you're a serious buyer.
It also just makes the whole experience better. Once you know your number you're shopping with confidence instead of falling in love with homes that might be out of reach. That's a frustrating position to be in and I've seen it happen more than I'd like to admit.
As far as timing goes, I'd say start the pre-approval process at least 30 days before you want to seriously start looking. That gives you time to shop a couple lenders, which I always recommend, and also time to clean anything up on your credit if something unexpected pops up.
The pre-approval itself doesn't take long at all once you get your documents together. Pay stubs, tax returns, bank statements, that kind of thing. A good lender will walk you through exactly what they need.
And here's something people don't think about. Pre-approval letters typically have an expiration date, usually 60 to 90 days, so don't do it so far out that it expires before you find something.
Get pre-approved first. You'll thank yourself later!
Here's why. The market moves fast and when you find the right home you need to be ready to move. Sellers are not going to wait around while you figure out financing, especially in a competitive market. Walking in pre-approved tells everyone you're a serious buyer.
It also just makes the whole experience better. Once you know your number you're shopping with confidence instead of falling in love with homes that might be out of reach. That's a frustrating position to be in and I've seen it happen more than I'd like to admit.
As far as timing goes, I'd say start the pre-approval process at least 30 days before you want to seriously start looking. That gives you time to shop a couple lenders, which I always recommend, and also time to clean anything up on your credit if something unexpected pops up.
The pre-approval itself doesn't take long at all once you get your documents together. Pay stubs, tax returns, bank statements, that kind of thing. A good lender will walk you through exactly what they need.
And here's something people don't think about. Pre-approval letters typically have an expiration date, usually 60 to 90 days, so don't do it so far out that it expires before you find something.
Get pre-approved first. You'll thank yourself later!
- 1 day ago
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Trevor Mapes
HomeSmart Pros Real estate
Great question! Honestly the sooner the better. Once you're even thinking about buying in the next few months, go ahead and get it done.
The reason is homes move fast right now, especially anything priced well. If you're not pre-approved and you find something you like, you're probably going to lose it to someone who is.
The process is pretty quick too, usually just a day or two. I work with some great lenders here in Arizona that make it really easy. Want me to connect you with one so you're ready to go when the right house comes up?
The reason is homes move fast right now, especially anything priced well. If you're not pre-approved and you find something you like, you're probably going to lose it to someone who is.
The process is pretty quick too, usually just a day or two. I work with some great lenders here in Arizona that make it really easy. Want me to connect you with one so you're ready to go when the right house comes up?
- 1 day ago
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Leilani Serrao-Baker
Civitas Realty
A good rule of thumb is to get pre-approved before you start seriously looking at homes. It doesn’t have to be months in advance, but it’s helpful to have it in place before you begin touring properties or making offers.
Here’s why timing matters.
Pre-approval helps you understand your real budget
Many buyers start by browsing online listings, but the price range that appears affordable may not match what a lender is willing to approve. A lender reviews your income, credit, debts, and assets to estimate how much you may be able to borrow. That gives you a realistic price range before you fall in love with a home.
It makes your offer stronger
In most markets, sellers expect buyers to include a pre-approval letter with their offer. Without one, a seller may assume financing isn’t secure and choose another buyer.
It helps avoid delays once you find a home
If you wait until after you find a property to talk with a lender, the financing process can slow down your offer or make it less competitive.
How long before you start looking?
Many buyers get pre-approved a few weeks before beginning their home search. Pre-approval letters typically remain valid for about 60–90 days, although lenders can often update them if your search takes longer.
You can technically get pre-approved while you’re already looking at homes, but it’s usually better to do it beforehand so you’re ready to act if you find the right property.
A lender can walk you through the pre-approval process fairly quickly, and once that step is complete, you’ll have a clearer picture of what price range makes sense for your home search.
Here’s why timing matters.
Pre-approval helps you understand your real budget
Many buyers start by browsing online listings, but the price range that appears affordable may not match what a lender is willing to approve. A lender reviews your income, credit, debts, and assets to estimate how much you may be able to borrow. That gives you a realistic price range before you fall in love with a home.
It makes your offer stronger
In most markets, sellers expect buyers to include a pre-approval letter with their offer. Without one, a seller may assume financing isn’t secure and choose another buyer.
It helps avoid delays once you find a home
If you wait until after you find a property to talk with a lender, the financing process can slow down your offer or make it less competitive.
How long before you start looking?
Many buyers get pre-approved a few weeks before beginning their home search. Pre-approval letters typically remain valid for about 60–90 days, although lenders can often update them if your search takes longer.
You can technically get pre-approved while you’re already looking at homes, but it’s usually better to do it beforehand so you’re ready to act if you find the right property.
A lender can walk you through the pre-approval process fairly quickly, and once that step is complete, you’ll have a clearer picture of what price range makes sense for your home search.
- 4 days ago
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DeAnn Brenneman
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices RW Towne Realty
Great question!
You can get pre-approved while you’re casually looking at homes, but it’s best to have it in place before you get serious about touring or writing offers. Sellers almost always require a pre-approval to accept a contract, and having one ready keeps you from missing out.
A pre-approval usually lasts about 60–90 days. The ideal time is when you think you may buy within the next 3-6months, which gives you clarity on your budget and time to address anything the lender may flag. Best of luck on your home buying journey!
You can get pre-approved while you’re casually looking at homes, but it’s best to have it in place before you get serious about touring or writing offers. Sellers almost always require a pre-approval to accept a contract, and having one ready keeps you from missing out.
A pre-approval usually lasts about 60–90 days. The ideal time is when you think you may buy within the next 3-6months, which gives you clarity on your budget and time to address anything the lender may flag. Best of luck on your home buying journey!
- 2 months ago
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