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05Guide · 4 min read

Pre-approval is the single most useful thing you can do before you tour a home. It tells you what you can afford, tells sellers you are real, and surfaces any surprises while there is still time to fix them.

Pre-qualification vs. pre-approval

Pre-qualification is a conversation. Pre-approval is a review: Jordan looks at your income documents, your assets and your credit, then issues a letter. One is an estimate; the other is a position.

What Jordan needs

Recent pay stubs, two years of W-2s (or tax returns if self-employed), two months of bank statements, and a photo ID. Everything uploads to Fairway's secure portal — never through this website.

The credit question

A mortgage credit pull is a single hard inquiry, and rate-shopping inquiries within a short window count as one. The effect is small and temporary. Not knowing your credit position is far more expensive than checking it.

How long it lasts

Pre-approval letters are typically good for a few months and can be refreshed. Keep your finances steady while you shop — no new car loans, no big unexplained deposits, no job changes without a heads-up.

Jordan · Loan Officer
does getting pre-approved hurt my credit score?
A little, briefly — one hard inquiry, usually a few points, and it fades. Walking into an offer without knowing your numbers hurts a lot more. Let us look together.

Quick answers

How long does mortgage pre-approval take?

Once Jordan has your complete documents, a pre-approval is typically issued within a day or two. Incomplete documents are the most common delay.

Does pre-approval hurt your credit?

A mortgage pre-approval involves one hard credit inquiry, which typically lowers a score by a few points temporarily. Multiple mortgage inquiries within a short shopping window are treated as a single inquiry by scoring models.

How long is a pre-approval good for?

Typically 60–90 days, and it can be refreshed with updated documents if your search runs longer.

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Ready when you are

No dumb questions, no pressure, no forms to fill out. Text Jordan what you are wondering about and get a straight answer — usually the same day, nights and weekends included.

Text Jordan · 763-657-9279 →Apply with Jordan at Fairway

Applications happen on Fairway's secure site — never here.