How long is a mortgage pre-approval good for, and can it expire before I find a home?

A mortgage pre-approval typically lasts 60 to 90 days, because lenders base it on a credit report and income documents that go stale. Your credit report is usually valid for about 120 days, and pay stubs and bank statements are refreshed as they age out. If your house hunt runs long, the lender re-pulls credit and updates documents to reissue the letter, which is usually quick if nothing changed. Avoid opening new credit, financing a car, or changing jobs during this window, since any of those can shrink or void your approval. When you are ready to shop seriously, confirm your standing with the Mortgage Readiness assessment at wealthserene.com/assessments/mortgage-readiness so your letter reflects your true buying power.