How Long Does Pre-Approval Last in 2026?
Pre-approval lasts 60-90 days in 2026 (most lenders: 90 days). After expiration: hard credit pull again (-5 points), re-verify income/assets, rates may change. Renewal takes 1-3 days. Learn timeline, credit impact, 5 ways to extend validity, and when to renew vs get new pre-approval.
🎯 Get Pre-Approved Today
90-day validity. Lock in your rate and buying power now.
Quick Answer: Pre-Approval Validity
| Lender | Validity Period | Renewal Process |
|---|---|---|
| Quicken Loans/Rocket | 90 days | Soft pull, 1-2 days |
| Wells Fargo | 90 days | Hard pull, 2-3 days |
| Chase | 60 days | Hard pull, 1-2 days |
| Bank of America | 90 days | Soft pull, 1-2 days |
| Local Credit Unions | 60-90 days | Varies |
What Happens When Pre-Approval Expires?
1. Hard Credit Pull Required
Lender must pull your credit again to verify nothing changed. This is a HARD inquiry (-5 points).
Credit Impact:
- • Initial pre-approval: -5 points
- • Renewal after 90 days: -5 points again
- • Total: -10 points if you renew
- • Score recovers in 3-6 months
2. Income/Asset Re-Verification
Lender needs updated pay stubs, bank statements, and employment verification.
Documents Needed:
- • 2 most recent pay stubs
- • 2 most recent bank statements
- • Employment verification (VOE)
- • Updated tax returns (if self-employed)
3. Rate May Change
Pre-approval doesn't lock your rate. If rates rose since initial approval, your payment increases.
Example:
- • Jan 2026 pre-approval: 6.3% rate
- • April 2026 renewal: 6.5% rate
- • $400K loan: $50/month higher payment
4. Approval Amount May Change
If your income dropped, debts increased, or credit score fell, you may qualify for less.
Scenarios That Reduce Approval:
- • Lost job or income decreased
- • Took on new debt (car loan, credit cards)
- • Credit score dropped 20+ points
- • Rates increased significantly
Pre-Approval Timeline
📅 90-Day Pre-Approval Journey
Day 0: Get Pre-Approved
Submit application, hard credit pull, receive pre-approval letter. Valid for 90 days.
Days 1-60: House Hunting
Pre-approval still fresh. Sellers take you seriously. No action needed.
Days 61-75: Renewal Window
If still house hunting, start renewal process. Update documents, prepare for credit pull.
Days 76-90: Urgent Renewal
Pre-approval aging. Sellers may question validity. Renew ASAP to maintain credibility.
Day 91+: EXPIRED
Pre-approval invalid. Must renew (hard pull) or get new pre-approval from different lender.
🔍 Get Pre-Approved with 90-Day Validity
Most lenders offer 90-day pre-approval. Lock in your buying power today.
Compare Lenders →5 Ways to Extend Pre-Approval Validity
Strategy #1: Renew Before Expiration
Contact lender 2 weeks before expiration. Renewal is faster than new pre-approval (1-3 days vs 5-7 days).
Renewal Process:
- 1. Contact lender 2 weeks before expiration
- 2. Submit updated pay stubs + bank statements
- 3. Authorize hard credit pull
- 4. Receive renewed pre-approval in 1-3 days
Strategy #2: Get Multiple Pre-Approvals
Get pre-approved by 2-3 lenders on same day. If one expires, use backup. All inquiries count as 1 if within 45 days.
Example:
- • Jan 15: Get pre-approved by Lender A (90 days)
- • Jan 15: Get pre-approved by Lender B (90 days)
- • April 15: Lender A expires, use Lender B
- • Credit impact: Only -5 points (not -10)
Strategy #3: Lock Rate When You Find House
Once under contract, lock your rate immediately. Rate lock lasts 30-60 days, protecting you from increases.
Rate Lock Timeline:
- • Offer accepted: Lock rate same day
- • Lock period: 30-60 days (choose 45 days)
- • If closing delayed: Extend lock ($500-$1,000)
Strategy #4: Maintain Financial Stability
Don't change jobs, take on debt, or make large purchases during house hunting. Keeps renewal smooth.
What to Avoid:
- ❌ Changing jobs (wait until after closing)
- ❌ Buying car (adds $400/month debt)
- ❌ Opening credit cards (hard inquiry)
- ❌ Large cash withdrawals (red flag)
Strategy #5: Shop Faster
Average house hunt: 10 weeks. If you find house in 4-6 weeks, pre-approval won't expire.
Tips to Speed Up Search:
- ✅ Define must-haves before searching
- ✅ View 3-5 houses per weekend
- ✅ Make offers quickly (24-48 hours)
- ✅ Be flexible on closing date
Renewal vs New Pre-Approval: Which Is Better?
| Factor | Renewal (Same Lender) | New Pre-Approval (Different Lender) |
|---|---|---|
| Timeline | 1-3 days | 5-7 days |
| Credit Impact | -5 points (hard pull) | -5 points (hard pull) |
| Documents | Updated pay stubs + bank statements | Full application + all docs |
| Rate | Current market rate | Shop for better rate |
| Best For | Quick renewal, same lender | Better rate, different lender |
Common Mistakes to Avoid
❌ Mistake #1: Letting Pre-Approval Expire
Expired pre-approval = no credibility with sellers. Renew 2 weeks before expiration to avoid gap.
❌ Mistake #2: Assuming Rate Is Locked
Pre-approval ≠ rate lock. Rate can change daily. Lock rate only when under contract.
❌ Mistake #3: Changing Financial Situation
New job, new debt, or credit score drop can reduce approval amount or kill deal. Maintain stability.
❌ Mistake #4: Not Shopping Multiple Lenders
Rates vary 0.25-0.5% between lenders. Get 3 pre-approvals on same day to compare (counts as 1 inquiry).
🎯 Ready to Get Pre-Approved?
90-day validity. Compare rates from 50+ lenders. Lock in your buying power today.
FAQs
How long does a mortgage pre-approval last?
60-90 days depending on lender. Most major lenders (Quicken, Wells Fargo, Bank of America) offer 90-day validity. After expiration, you must renew with hard credit pull.
Does renewing pre-approval hurt credit?
Yes, renewal requires hard credit pull (-5 points). However, score recovers in 3-6 months. Multiple renewals can add up, so try to find house within 90 days.
Can I renew pre-approval with different lender?
Yes, but it's a new pre-approval (not renewal). Takes 5-7 days vs 1-3 days for renewal. Benefit: You can shop for better rate. Credit impact is same (-5 points).
What happens if my pre-approval expires while under contract?
Rare, but possible if closing delayed. Lender will renew automatically (hard pull). If your financial situation changed negatively, approval could be denied, killing the deal.
Is pre-approval the same as rate lock?
No. Pre-approval = you qualify for loan. Rate lock = rate guaranteed for 30-60 days. You lock rate AFTER offer accepted, not during pre-approval.