# How Long Does It Take to Get Pre-Approved? Canonical URL: https://valor.mortgage/answers/how-long-does-it-take-to-get-pre-approved/ Page title: How Long Does It Take to Get Pre-Approved? | Valor Mortgage By [Christopher Armantrout](https://valor.mortgage/about-us/), Licensed Mortgage Loan Originator · NMLS [#1210804](https://www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org/EntityDetails.aspx/INDIVIDUAL/1210804) Last updated November 5, 2026 Rules accurate as of November 2026 Quick answer It depends on your file and how quickly your documents come in. Christopher says that when everything is lined up, his office can typically get you qualified in about half a day or less. A more complex file takes longer, because the goal is a pre-approval that holds up. The most common delay is a missing document. Self-employment and other extra paperwork can add time. Rules on this page were checked on November 5, 2026 against Valor Mortgage’s own pre-approval process. Timing varies by file and by lender. Program terms are subject to agency and lender guidelines and may change, and individual lenders can set stricter rules. ## How long a pre-approval takes January 7, 2026 · 24 seconds · [Watch on YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/shorts/fu2e3VV2ZrE) **Transcript:** So how long does it take to get pre-approved? Well, that answer depends. If you're able to get everything lined up quickly and documents to our office in a timely manner, typically we can get you qualified within maybe a half a day or less. But if your file is more complex, then it's going to take a longer period of time to make sure that we've crossed our T's and dotted our I's. But if you're looking to get qualified, then give us a call so you can buy with confidence and buy with Valor. Typical timing only, not a guarantee. It depends on your documents and your file. ## What makes a pre-approval faster or slower? | Usually quicker | Usually takes longer | |---|---| | Salary or hourly W-2 income | [Self-employment](https://valor.mortgage/answers/can-i-get-a-mortgage-if-im-self-employed/), commission or variable income | | All documents sent together | Documents sent in pieces, or missing pages | | Straightforward credit | Recent [bankruptcy](https://valor.mortgage/answers/can-i-buy-a-house-after-bankruptcy/), collections or errors to explain | | Steady job history | A [new job](https://valor.mortgage/will-changing-jobs-hurt-my-loan-application/) or a [short work history](https://valor.mortgage/answers/do-i-need-two-years-of-work-history/) | General examples. Typical timing only, not a promise, and every file is different. ## Why isn’t the fastest answer always the right one? In the last video below, Christopher compares it to fast, good and cheap. A thorough pre-approval may take a little longer, because questions are answered on the front end rather than after you are under contract. When you get a letter, ask what was actually reviewed: your credit, your income documents and your assets, or only what you said on the phone. [That’s the difference between a prequalification and a preapproval](https://valor.mortgage/answers/prequalification-vs-preapproval/). ## What should you send to avoid delays? Christopher’s standard list for a wage earner is your last 30 days of pay stubs, your last two years of W-2s, two months of bank statements with all pages, and two forms of ID. Common holdups include: - Bank statements missing pages, even blank ones - Large deposits with no explanation of where they came from - Expired ID - Tax returns without all schedules, if you need to provide them ## Does a fast letter change the later steps? No. Getting pre-approved quickly doesn’t shorten the appraisal, [underwriting](https://valor.mortgage/answers/what-happens-during-mortgage-underwriting/) or the required disclosure timing before closing. It only means you can begin shopping sooner, with a clearer idea of your range. ## When should you start? Before you start touring homes, and early enough to fix any problem you find. See [how early to start preparing](https://valor.mortgage/answers/how-early-should-i-prepare-to-buy-a-house/). If you get pre-approved quickly but take months to find a home, some documents may need to be refreshed, so stay in touch with your loan officer. ## More from Christopher on this ### Common reasons a preapproval gets delayed and how to avoid them March 9, 2026 · 27 seconds · [Watch on YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/shorts/hK1XExexWJ4) What might cause your pre-approval to be delayed and getting processed? It could be something as simple as not having the correct documentation up front to be able to finalize your pre-approval. Usually it's very simple documentation to be able to qualify but sometimes scenarios play out such that require extra documentation that are not usually used in a primary pre-approval. So if you have questions feel free to give us a call so that when you do buy you buy with confidence and you buy with Valor. The documents you need depend on your income, your assets and your loan program. ### Avoid these common mistakes that slow down loan approvals July 31, 2026 · 24 seconds · [Watch on YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/shorts/iV2LDDZw-_o) What can slow down your mortgage pre-approval? Well, technically what slows it down is you. If you're looking to get pre-approved, but you're not providing the needed documentation for your loan officer to approve you, then that slows us down. We are missing something. We're going to stop until that document comes. So if you want to make sure that you get everything said, ask your loan officer exactly what you need. If you want to buy with confidence, buy with Valor. Your loan officer can give you a list for your situation. Timing varies by file. ### Pre-approval: fast, good or cheap? February 27, 2026 · 23 seconds · [Watch on YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/shorts/Is4NEnKEVS4) So often people have misconceptions about the pre-approval process. I ask you to think about fast, good, and cheap. If you're wanting to be able to have a pre-approval done thoroughly, it may not always be done quickly because we're trying to be as thorough as possible on the front end so that when you do buy, that there's less questions and that you're able to buy with confidence when you buy with Valor. A pre-approval is not a commitment to lend. Underwriting still verifies your file, and the home has to appraise. ## Pre-approval timing FAQ ### Can you get pre-approved the same day? It’s possible when your documents are ready and your file is simple, but it can’t be promised. Christopher’s goal at a first meeting is to have you leave with a letter if the file supports it. ### Can I get pre-approved on a Sunday? Valor Mortgage’s office is open Sunday through Thursday from 8 to 5 and Friday from 8 to 3. Call (615) 671-9178 to find out what can be done on your timeline. ### How long does a pre-approval last? Many letters are good for about 90 days, but your documents have their own clocks. Your loan officer may ask for fresh ones while you shop. ## Where these rules come from | Rule or figure | Source | As of | |---|---|---| | Pre-approval steps and documents | [Valor Mortgage first-home guide](https://valor.mortgage/how-to-buy-your-first-home/#pre-approval) | Updated Oct 26, 2026 | ## Related answers and guides - [What’s the difference between prequalification and preapproval?](https://valor.mortgage/answers/prequalification-vs-preapproval/) - [What do lenders look at for a pre-approval?](https://valor.mortgage/answers/what-do-lenders-look-at-for-preapproval/) - [What shouldn’t you do before applying for a mortgage?](https://valor.mortgage/answers/what-not-to-do-before-applying-for-a-mortgage/) - [More answers on getting pre-approved](https://valor.mortgage/answers/#preapproval). - [About Christopher Armantrout](https://valor.mortgage/about-us/). [Call me at (615) 671-9178](tel:+16156719178). That’s the fastest way to get a straight answer on what you’d qualify for and how quickly you could be pre-approved. If it’s after hours, [grab a time on my calendar](https://valor.mortgage/book-your-appointment/). Pick a slot that works and I’ll call you then. If your life is too chaotic for a phone call right now — I understand — [start an application](https://valor.mortgage/purchase/) and I’ll review it and reach out with a plan. About the author [Christopher Armantrout](https://valor.mortgage/about-us/) Owner & Senior Loan Officer, Valor Mortgage NMLS #1210804 Christopher is a licensed Mortgage Loan Originator in the State of Tennessee and has been originating home loans since 2015. He founded Valor Mortgage in Springfield in 2019 and works with veterans, first-time buyers, self-employed borrowers, and families across Robertson County and Middle Tennessee. [More about Christopher](https://valor.mortgage/about-us/) [Verify this license on NMLS](https://www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org/EntityDetails.aspx/INDIVIDUAL/1210804) **Valor Mortgage, LLC** · Christopher Armantrout, Mortgage Loan Originator, NMLS #1210804 · Valor Mortgage, LLC is powered by Encore Lending Group, LLC, NMLS #1249911 · Licensed in Tennessee · Equal Housing Opportunity 724 S Main St, Springfield, TN 37172 · (615) 671-9178 · christopher@valor.mortgage · [NMLS Consumer Access](https://www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org/EntityDetails.aspx/INDIVIDUAL/1210804) The dollar figures on this page are illustrative examples for general information only and are not an offer, a rate quote, or a commitment to lend. Actual interest rates and APRs vary based on loan program, borrower qualifications, property, market conditions and other factors. Program fees, limits and terms are set by the agencies named above and change without notice; all loans are subject to credit approval, income verification and property appraisal. Not all applicants will qualify. --- ## Contact Valor Mortgage - Christopher Armantrout, Senior Loan Officer, NMLS #1210804 - Phone: [(615) 671-9178](tel:+16156719178) - Email: [christopher@valor.mortgage](mailto:christopher@valor.mortgage) - Office: 724 S Main St, Springfield, TN 37172 - [Book an appointment](https://valor.mortgage/book-your-appointment/) · [Apply online](https://valor.mortgage/purchase/) · [Contact page](https://valor.mortgage/contact-us/) Valor Mortgage, LLC is powered by Encore Lending Group, LLC, NMLS #1249911 ([NMLS Consumer Access](https://www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org/EntityDetails.aspx/COMPANY/1249911)). Christopher Armantrout, Loan Officer, NMLS #1210804. Licensed in Tennessee. Equal Housing Opportunity. All loan programs, rates, terms, and conditions are subject to change without notice. Loan approval is based on borrower qualification, credit review, income verification, and property eligibility. Not all applicants will qualify. Not a commitment to lend.