Will a Credit Check Hurt My Credit Score? Soft Pull vs Hard Pull
A credit check for an initial mortgage quote typically will not hurt your credit score, because lenders use a soft pull at that stage; only the hard pull that comes with a full application can affect your score, and even then the effect is usually small and temporary. A soft pull is never visible to other lenders, though it may still show up on your own copy of your credit report. Shopping several lenders within a short window generally counts as one inquiry, not several.
Last updated July 22, 2026What is the difference between a soft pull and a hard pull?
A soft credit pull is what most lenders use to put together an early rate quote or a pre-qualification. It does not touch your credit score, and other lenders cannot see that it happened. It can, however, still appear on the credit report you pull for yourself, since that report is not exactly the same thing as your score.
A hard pull is a deeper check that happens when you actually submit a full mortgage application. This is the version that can move your score, and it is the one other lenders and creditors can see listed as an inquiry.
Lenders in our network commonly require your full Social Security number, and a temporary unfreeze if your credit is frozen, even for the soft pull. That is because the systems used to generate an accurate quote need to verify identity and pull real credit data, even when the pull itself is the low-impact soft kind.
How much can a hard pull lower my score, and for how long?
The typical hit from a single hard pull is small, often under 5 points for borrowers with an established, higher credit score. Borrowers with a thinner credit file or a lower starting score can sometimes see a larger drop, potentially 10 points or more. Either way, the effect fades over the following months, stops counting toward your score after 12 months, and drops off your credit report entirely after 24 months.
Does shopping around with multiple lenders multiply the damage?
No, not under the standard scoring approach. Mortgage-related hard inquiries made within roughly a 45-day window are treated as a single inquiry for scoring purposes. That means comparing offers from several lenders in that period typically costs you about the same as applying with just one.
| Soft pull (initial quote/pre-qual) | None |
|---|---|
| Hard pull (full application) | Often under 5 points; can be 10+ for thinner or lower-score files |
| Multiple mortgage hard pulls within ~45 days | Counted as one inquiry |
| Hard inquiry aging | Effect fades over months, excluded from scoring after 12 months, drops off report after 24 months |
Related questions
- minimum credit score to qualify
- which Credit Score Does a Mortgage Lender Actually Use
- why Does My Mortgage Credit Score Look Different or Lower Than the Score Shown by a Consumer App
- how Can You Raise Your Credit Score or Fix Report Errors Before Applying for a Mortgage
- what determines your mortgage rate quote
Sources
- https://www.consumerfinance.gov/ask-cfpb/what-is-a-credit-inquiry-en-1317/
- https://www.myfico.com/credit-education/credit-reports/does-checking-credit-score-lower-it
- https://www.experian.com/blogs/ask-experian/what-is-a-soft-inquiry/
- https://homebuyer.com/learn/soft-credit-check
- https://www.myfico.com/credit-education/credit-reports/how-long-do-hard-inquiries-stay-on-your-credit-report
- https://www.myfico.com/credit-education/blog/rate-shop
Educational information only, not individualized financial or legal advice. Program details and rates change; verify current terms with a licensed loan officer before making a decision.