preapproval now or in 6 months?

[Chi Wen]

I'm thinking about getting a pre-approval just to see what I can afford. But I probably won't be actually buying until end of 2021 or early 2022 because I'm still renting and have a lease that ends in Apr'22.

Here in the bay area I'm pretty sure I will get rejected for many offers so I'm thinking should I get a preapproval now and take the credit hit -  just to start browsing in my budget and then get another preapproval end of 2021 (and another credit hit)?

thanks