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When you're applying for a mortgage, it's natural to keep a close eye on your credit score. One common question we hear is: "Will checking my credit hurt my score?" The answer depends on who’s doing the checking – and why.
What’s a Credit Inquiry, and Does it Affect My Credit Score?
When a lender checks your credit as part of a loan application, it’s called a hard inquiry. These are reported to the credit bureaus and can have a small, temporary impact on your credit score. That’s because inquiries signal to other lenders that you may be taking on new debt.
Hard inquiries are a normal part of applying for a mortgage – and while you can’t avoid them entirely, you can be strategic about when and how often they happen.
Timing Matters When Shopping for a Mortgage
Here’s some good news: if you’re shopping around for a mortgage, multiple credit checks within a 45-day window are typically treated as one single inquiry. That means you can compare lenders, get preapproved, and request loan estimates without worrying about your score taking a hit each time.
Even if a credit check falls outside that window, the impact is usually small – and the potential savings from finding the right loan can far outweigh the effect of an extra inquiry.
What About Other Types of Credit?
If you’re planning to apply for a mortgage, it’s a good idea to hold off on applying for other types of credit – like a new credit card or car loan – until after your home loan is finalized. Each of those applications creates a separate inquiry, which could lower your score at a time when you want it to be as strong as possible.
Can I Check My Own Credit Without Hurting My Score?
Absolutely. When you check your own credit – whether it’s your score or your full credit report – it’s considered a soft inquiry, which has no impact on your score.
In fact, reviewing your credit report is a smart move before applying for a mortgage. You can request a free copy at annualcreditreport.com, and if you spot any errors, be sure to get them corrected right away.
Bottom line: Credit inquiries are a normal part of the mortgage process, but a little planning can help you protect your score and set yourself up for success. If you have questions about your credit or the mortgage process, our lenders are here to help every step of the way.
