Mortgage Approval: How Long Will It Really Take?

Mortgage pre-approval estimates how much you can borrow but doesn’t guarantee final approval.
Pre-approval usually takes 1–3 business days, depending on documents and financial complexity.
Final mortgage approval takes 1–2 weeks and includes document verification and a property appraisal.
Pre-approval is valid for 90–120 days, after which renewal may be needed.
Pre-approval can slightly lower your credit score, but multiple applications in a short time count as one inquiry.