🔒 Rate Hold Up to 120 Days Lock in today’s rate while you shop for your home.

⚡ Fast Turnaround Most pre-approvals completed within 24–48 hours.

🏦 90+ Lenders We compare banks, credit unions, and monoline lenders to find your best rate.

What Is a Mortgage Pre-Approval?

A mortgage pre-approval is a written commitment from a lender confirming how much they are willing to lend you, at what interest rate, and for how long. It is based on a full review of your income, credit, and down payment — not just a quick estimate.

A pre-approval gives you three key advantages as a buyer in BC or Alberta:

• You know your budget — no more guessing what you can afford
• You get a rate hold — your rate is protected for up to 120 days while you shop
• You make stronger offers — sellers and agents take pre-approved buyers more seriously

Pre-Approval vs. Pre-Qualification — What’s the Difference?

Feature	Pre-Qualification	Pre-Approval
Credit check	No	Yes ✓
Income verified	No	Yes ✓
Rate hold	No	Up to 120 days ✓
Accepted by sellers	Rarely	Yes ✓
Accuracy	Estimate only	Firm commitment ✓

What You Need to Get Pre-Approved

The pre-approval process is straightforward. Here is what we typically need from you:

Document	Purpose
T4 slips (last 2 years)	Verify employment income
Recent pay stubs (last 30 days)	Confirm current income
Notice of Assessment (last 2 years)	Required for all applications
Bank statements (90 days)	Confirm down payment source
Government-issued ID	Identity verification
List of assets and debts	Full financial picture

Self-employed? We work with stated income and alternative documentation. Learn more about self-employed mortgages →

How the Pre-Approval Process Works

1 Book a Call 15-minute conversation to understand your situation and goals.

2 Submit Documents We’ll tell you exactly what we need — no guesswork.

3 We Shop Lenders We compare 90+ lenders to find your best rate and terms.

4 Pre-Approval Letter You receive a written pre-approval with your rate hold — ready to shop.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does getting pre-approved hurt my credit score?

A mortgage pre-approval requires a hard credit inquiry, which may reduce your score by a few points temporarily. However, multiple mortgage inquiries within a 14-day window are typically counted as a single inquiry by the credit bureaus. The impact is minimal and short-lived.

How long does a pre-approval last?

Most pre-approvals in Canada include a rate hold of 90 to 120 days. If you do not find a home within that window, we can renew your pre-approval with updated documents.

Can I get pre-approved if I’m self-employed?

Yes. We work with self-employed borrowers regularly and have access to lenders who specialize in stated income and alternative documentation programs. Learn more →

What if I have bruised credit?

We work with borrowers across the full credit spectrum. We have access to B-lenders and alternative lenders who can approve mortgages that banks decline. See our Deal Rescue page →

Is there a fee for the pre-approval?

No. Our mortgage pre-approval service is completely free. As a mortgage broker, we are compensated by the lender — never by you.