Does Getting Prequalified for a Mortgage Hurt Your Credit Score?
Buying a Home Without Worrying About Your Credit
If you’re starting to think about buying a home, you’ve probably heard mixed advice about how checking your credit might impact your score. Many buyers worry that simply talking to a lender or getting prequalified will damage their credit before they’ve even found a home. Here’s the good news: getting prequalified is usually a safe, low-impact way to start your homebuying journey.
Prequalification vs. Full Application: What’s the Difference?
When you first reach out to a lender to see what you might qualify for, most lenders perform what’s called a soft credit check. A soft check gives the lender a quick look at your credit profile — enough to estimate what loan programs and price ranges might work for you — but it does not affect your credit score.
You can think of this step as an easy, no-pressure way to know where you stand financially. It’s ideal for early planning and doesn’t commit you to anything.
When you’re ready to move forward and complete a full loan application, your lender will then run a hard inquiry. A hard inquiry is what officially shows up on your credit report, but the impact is typically very small — often less than five points, according to FICO® (the company behind the most widely used credit scoring models). That’s a minor shift, and it’s unlikely to derail your homebuying plans.
Shopping for the Best Mortgage Rate? Here’s a Pro Tip
If you’re comparing lenders to find the best rate, you might worry that multiple credit checks will add up and hurt your score. Fortunately, FICO has a built-in protection for smart shoppers:
All mortgage inquiries within a 14–45 day window typically count as a single inquiry.
That means you can compare rates and lenders without fear of racking up multiple hits to your score. Just keep your mortgage shopping within a focused period, and your credit impact should stay minimal.
Why Prequalification Is a Smart First Step
Getting prequalified does more than just check your credit. It helps you:
Understand your buying power before you start house-hunting.
Spot and address credit issues early (if needed) while you still have time.
Gain confidence when talking with real estate agents and sellers.
Sellers often take prequalified buyers more seriously, especially in competitive markets.
Bottom Line
Don’t let fear of a credit score dip keep you from exploring homeownership. A soft check for prequalification won’t hurt your credit, and even the hard pull when you officially apply is usually a small, temporary impact. Shopping around for the best loan terms within a short window won’t penalize you either.
If you’re ready to take the next step toward buying a home, you can get started without the stress of damaging your credit.
Sources:
FICO — https://www.myfico.com/credit-education/credit-reports/credit-checks
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) — https://www.consumerfinance.gov/ask-cfpb/how-does-shopping-for-a-mortgage-loan-impact-my-credit-en-1381/
