Mortgage 101: For How Long is My Pre-Approval Valid? Getting pre-approved for a mortgage puts you at a significant advantage when shopping for a home. A pre-approval letter can sometimes be the key factor that makes a seller choose your offer over another. Since pre-approval is so advantageous, you want to make sure that it's still valid when you make an offer. After all, falling in love with a home can sometimes take a few weeks. So the question is: For how long is a mortgage pre-approval valid? Although there isn't a universal rule, the typical guideline that lenders follow is that a pre-approval letter is valid between 60-90 days. However, you can ask for an extension, and approval for an extension is typically faster than going through the initial loan approval process. To request an extension, you'll need to provide updated documentation. That's it! Here's more information that you need to know about getting a pre-approval letter. he Difference Between Pre-Qualification and Pre-Approval Pre-qualification is a "best guess" or ballpark idea of the amount you may qualify for. It's based off a quick review of your finances and soft credit check --an inquiry that does not impact your score. A pre-approval, however, means that the underwriter has reviewed your finances thoroughly...