If you re pre approved for a mortgage will you get the loan

Getting pre-approved is the first step in your journey of buying a home. But even with a pre-approval, a mortgage can be denied if there are changes to your credit history or financial situation. Working with buyers, we know how heartbreaking it can be to find out your mortgage has been denied days before closing. 

How can a mortgage be denied after pre-approval?

A mortgage can be denied after pre-approval if a buyer no longer meets the requirements of the loan. Here are some reasons a lender may deny a loan:

  • Negative credit change. If your credit score was hovering around the requirement (say 620), and you missed a payment during your home search or racked up more debt, your credit score dips. This negative impact on your credit score could keep you from getting a home loan.
  • Open more lines of credit. By opening more lines of credit, you are getting deeper in debt. Too much debt looks risky to lenders. 
  • Change of employment. Lenders don’t only look at how much income you make, but also your history of holding a steady job. Some loans have requirements for length of consistent employment (typically two years). Starting a new career in the middle of your home search means you would not hit that requirement. 
  • The property doesn’t meet mortgage contingencies.  During the home inspection and appraisal process, you will find out if the property meets all of the mortgage contingencies. If it does not, you will not be able to obtain a loan. 

Tips to ensure a Mortgage Approval

What can you do to make sure you make it to closing day with a loan? Keep your financial situation the same (or better) than it was when you got pre-approved. 

  • Do not incur more debt. You might be looking at new furniture for your dream house, or want to book a vacation. Wait to do this after closing.
  • Do not make any large deposits. If you don’t have proof as to where large deposits come from, this can be very suspicious to lenders. 
  • Do not withdraw large amounts of money. On the other end, don’t take out a large sum of money for no reason. 
  • Add to your savings. Before getting pre-approved, you probably saved up for a down payment. Keep adding to this savings on your regular schedule. 

If any major changes do happen between the time you got pre-approved and your closing date, communicate that with your lender. Before starting a new job or making a big purchase, check first to see if this could affect your loan approval.

Have more questions? Contact NEHM today!

This article is part of the Suncorp Home Buying Guide. A handy selection of articles, calculators and services to help you on your property buying journey. 

Explore Our Home Buying Guide

Buying a home is an exciting time and you’ll quickly learn the steps and processes you’ll need to go through before you pick up the keys and move in. Pre-approval is one of the most important steps you’ll take, so knowing the basics will not only boost your confidence come auction day, but will also make sure you know exactly where you stand with your bank.

A loan pre-approval means that a lender has agreed, in principle, to lend you an amount of money towards the purchase of your home but hasn't proceeded to a full or final approval. It allows you to know your maximum available funds so you can narrow your search, negotiate with more certainty, and bid with more confidence if you're going to auction.

A pre-approval is a valuable step in getting you closer to your new family home or investment property. It's not a requirement in the home buying process, but it can make life easier.

Explore Home Loan Pre-Approval Online

How does pre-approval work?

What are the benefits of pre-approval?

If you're looking to purchase a house but you're not sure how much you can spend, it's difficult to know where to begin. You might find a property that seems perfect, but have no idea whether it's a realistic option for your budget.

If a lender pre-approves you for a loan, they will do so for a specific amount, so you can focus your house hunting on the properties you can afford. Which might mean that you have to forget about that beachside mansion with tennis court and pool, but the whole process will be a lot easier. It also means that, if you're bidding at an auction, you'll have a maximum bid in mind.

For example, you may be looking at two different properties: one valued at $550,000 and one valued at $700,000. If you're pre-approved for a home loan of $550,000, the more expensive house may be outside your budget, unless you contribute more of your own funds.

Pre-approval can also make you a more attractive buyer to a potential seller, as it indicates that you're serious about purchasing the property and that your offer is less likely to be withdrawn due to a lack of financing.

Are there drawbacks to a pre-approval?

There aren't any great drawbacks to obtaining a single pre-approval, but having several in a short period can potentially harm your ability to borrow.

Pre-approvals will be visible on your credit file as a loan enquiry, and having many in quick succession and with multiple lenders might create the impression that you're financially unstable.

While this shouldn't discourage you from seeking pre-approval, it does mean it's a good idea to wait until you're seriously considering a purchase, rather than applying early in the process when you might just be entertaining the idea.

If you’re not quite ready to apply, you can get an idea of how much you may be able to borrow using the Suncorp Bank Borrowing Limit Home Loan Calculator.

Does pre-approval mean that my loan is guaranteed to be approved?

No. While pre-approval means that you're more likely to have a loan approved, it doesn't provide an iron-clad guarantee. The following factors - among others - can affect whether a loan for which you've been pre-approved proceeds to final approval:

  • Changes to your personal circumstances
  • Changes to government regulations
  • A negative valuation of the property
  • A change in the property's condition

However, if your circumstances have not changed significantly and the property is acceptable by Suncorp Bank, your chances of obtaining final approval following a pre-approval are very good.

If you have any concerns about the approval process, you can contact Suncorp or speak to your mortgage broker. If you'd like to speak to someone face-to-face about your lending options at a time and place that suits you, you can book an appointment with a Suncorp Bank Mobile Lender.

Book An Appointment With a Mobile Lender

Read More from the Home Buying Guide:

  • What are the different types of home loan available?
  • Shaynna Blaze’s Essential Home Buying Tips
  • What influences how much I can borrow?


The information is intended to be of a general nature only. We do not accept any legal responsibility for any loss incurred as a result of reliance upon it – please make your own enquiries. 

Any advice contained in this document has been prepared without taking into account your particular objectives, financial situation or needs. For that reason, before acting on the advice, you should consider the appropriateness of the advice having regard to your own objectives, financial situation and needs. Where the advice relates to the acquisition, or possible acquisition, of a particular financial product, you should consider the Product Disclosure Statement before making any decision regarding the product. Contact us for a copy.

Does pre

You will complete a mortgage application and the lender will verify the information you provide. They'll also perform a credit check. If you're preapproved, you'll receive a preapproval letter, which is an offer (but not a commitment) to lend you a specific amount, good for 90 days.

Can a loan be denied after preapproval?

Yes, it's possible to have your loan application denied after getting preapproved for a mortgage. It doesn't seem fair, but the reason this is possible is because your loan has to go through the underwriting process before it's finalized.

Will I get loan if preapproved?

Once you receive a preapproved loan offer, you could be formally approved as long as your credit information hasn't changed and your financial information supports the loan that the lender has preapproved you for. Unfortunately, some people that receive a preapproved loan offer will be denied when they actually apply.

What happens after getting pre

Once you have found a home that meets your needs and your pre-approval amount, you can start the sale process by giving the seller the pre-approval letter and making an offer on the house. If the seller accepts your offer, the next step is to start the underwriting process.