When you signed your contract you may have obtained pre-approval from your lender. A pre-approval is an indication whether the lender will be able to loan you the money you need based on an initial assessment of your credit history and borrowing capacity.
Less than 3 months prior to settlement, when the lot is close to completion, you can apply for formal approval with most lenders. You will receive a formal approval when the lender has everything they need and can confirm in the form of a letter that they are willing to lend you money. This is the final guarantee that you will need for the property purchase.
It is important to note that a pre-approval from your lender is not a guarantee. You will still need to apply for formal approval with your lender.