Getting pre-approved is one of the most important first steps in the homebuying process—but many buyers hesitate because they’re worried it will hurt their credit. Whether you’re buying a house in Los Angeles, CA or Austin, TX, understanding how credit inquiries work can help you start your search with confidence.
The truth is that a mortgage pre-approval can affect your credit score, but usually only by a small amount and for a short period of time. In most cases, the benefits of being pre-approved far outweigh the minor, temporary credit dip.
This Redfin article explains how pre-approval affects your credit score, the difference between soft and hard inquiries, how rate shopping works, how long inquiries stay on your report, and how to minimize any score impact as you prepare to buy a home.
What is a mortgage pre-approval?
A mortgage pre-approval is a lender’s written estimate of how much you can borrow based on a review of your financial information, including:
Credit score and credit history
Income and employment
Debt-to-income ratio (DTI)
Bank statements and assets
Unlike pre-qualification, which is often based on a soft credit check, pre-approval requires a hard credit inquiry, which is why it can affect your score.
Does mortgage pre-approval affect your credit score?
Yes, getting pre-approved will result in a hard credit inquiry, which may temporarily lower your credit score by a few points—usually between 3 and 8 points.
This impact is:
Small: A few points for most borrowers
Short-lived: Your score often rebounds within weeks
Normal: All lenders require a hard inquiry to verify credit before issuing a pre-approval
A hard inquiry signals that you’re applying for credit. Mortgage and auto loan inquiries, however, are treated differently than credit card inquiries because they’re associated with rate shopping.
How hard inquiries work
When a lender checks your credit for a pre-approval, it shows up on your credit report as a hard pull. Hard pulls:
Stay on your report for two years
Only affect your score for up to 12 months
Have a very small impact compared to missed payments or high credit utilization
The inquiry itself is not a negative mark; it’s simply a record that you applied for credit.
Does getting multiple pre-approvals hurt your credit more?
No—as long as you’re rate shopping within a short window.
Credit scoring models recognize that borrowers shop around for the best mortgage rate. Because of this, multiple mortgage inquiries within a short period count as ONE inquiry for scoring purposes.
Rate-shopping windows
Depending on the scoring model:
FICO® Score 8 and newer: 45-day mortgage inquiry window
Older FICO® models: 14-day window
VantageScore: 14-day window
That means you can apply with several lenders during that period without significantly impacting your score.
Why lenders need a hard inquiry for pre-approval
A lender can’t issue a legitimate pre-approval without verifying your credit, because your score directly affects:
Whether you qualify
Your interest rate
Your loan amount
Your potential mortgage insurance requirements
Final underwriting approval
A hard inquiry gives the lender access to a full credit report, not the limited snapshot from a soft pull.
How long does it take for your credit score to recover?
Most buyers see their score:
Drop slightly (often 3–8 points)
Rebound within a few weeks to a couple of months
If you maintain low credit utilization and avoid new debt, your score may recover even faster.
How to minimize the credit impact of mortgage pre-approval
1. Limit all other credit applications
Avoid applying for:
New credit cards
Auto loans
Personal loans
Buy-now-pay-later financing
Opening new accounts during home shopping can increase your DTI and lower your credit score.
2. Keep all credit card balances low
Utilization makes up a large portion of your credit score. Aim to keep balances:
Under 30% of your limit, ideally
Under 10% for the best scores
3. Rate Shop Within a Single Window
Submit applications to multiple lenders within 14–45 days to ensure they count as a single inquiry.
4. Keep Your Accounts in Good Standing
Pay all bills on time and avoid late payments. Even one missed payment can drop your score far more than a pre-approval inquiry.
5. Monitor Your Credit Reports
Check for errors on:
Experian
Equifax
TransUnion
If anything is inaccurate, dispute it before applying for a mortgage.
Does pre-approval affect credit more than pre-qualification?
Yes. Here’s why:
Feature
Pre-qualification
Pre-approval
Type of credit inquiry
Soft pull (no impact)
Hard pull (small impact)
Verification level
Self-reported info
Full financial review
Strength for sellers
Weak
Strong
Used for underwriting?
No
Yes
If you’re serious about buying, pre-approval is the stronger and necessary step.
Will my score drop again during underwriting?
Your lender may perform a second hard inquiry during final underwriting—especially if:
Your pre-approval expired
Your credit changed
Several months passed without updates
This second inquiry typically has the same small, temporary effect.
Does a lower score affect your mortgage rate?
Potentially. Your credit score influences:
Your interest rate
Your loan program eligibility
Your mortgage insurance costs (on FHA and conventional loans)
Your maximum loan amount
This is why many buyers try to improve their score before applying.
Should you avoid pre-approval to protect your credit score?
In almost all cases, no.
A small, temporary credit dip is not harmful—and the benefits of pre-approval far outweigh the impact, including:
Showing sellers you’re serious
Locking in stronger negotiating power
Understanding your real budget
Avoiding surprises during underwriting
Comparing lenders accurately
Not getting pre-approved can actually cost you opportunities in a competitive market.
Frequently asked question about mortgage pre-approvals
1. Does pre-approval hurt your credit?
Yes, but only slightly. It requires a hard inquiry that generally lowers your score by a few points.
2. Can I get pre-approved without affecting my credit?
No. A real pre-approval always requires a hard inquiry. Soft-pull offers aren’t true pre-approvals.
3. How long does a pre-approval inquiry stay on my credit?
Two years on your report, but it only affects your score for up to 12 months.
4. How many points will I lose?
Most buyers see a small drop of 3–8 points.
