Does Mortgage Pre-Approval Affect Your Credit Score? Here’s What to Expect

Key Takeaways: 

• Mortgage pre-approval involves a hard credit inquiry, which may lower your score slightly.
• The impact is usually small (less than five points) and temporary.
• Multiple pre-approvals within a 14-45 day window count as one inquiry for scoring purposes.
• Being strategic with timing helps you compare rates without hurting your credit.

When you’re preparing to buy a home, one of the first steps you’ll likely take is getting pre-approved for a mortgage. But if you’re wondering, “Does mortgage pre-approval affect my credit score?”—you’re not alone. Whether you’re checking out homes for sale in Denver, CO or getting ready to make an offer in Raleigh, NC, it’s important to understand how pre-approval fits into the homebuying journey. 

This Redfin article breaks down how the pre-approval process works, how it impacts your credit, and what you can do to protect your score while still showing sellers you’re serious.

What is mortgage pre-approval?

Mortgage pre-approval is a lender’s written estimate of how much money they’re willing to lend you for a home purchase. It’s based on a thorough review of your finances—including income, debt, and credit history—and it typically includes a hard credit inquiry.

Unlike pre-qualification, which is a quick estimate based on self-reported information and a soft credit pull, pre-approval is more formal. Sellers often require a pre-approval letter before accepting an offer, because it signals that you’re a financially viable buyer.

>> Read: Pre-Approval vs. Pre-Qualification

How does mortgage pre-approval affect your credit score?

Yes, mortgage pre-approval can affect your credit score, but usually only by a few points. Here’s how it works:

• Hard inquiry: When a lender pulls your credit to verify your financial profile during pre-approval, it’s considered a hard inquiry.
• Small impact: A single hard inquiry typically lowers your credit score by less than five points, depending on your credit history.
• Short-term effect: This dip is usually temporary. As long as you continue paying your bills on time and avoid taking on new debt, your score should bounce back quickly.

Will multiple pre-approvals hurt your credit more?

Not necessarily. You can apply with multiple lenders to compare rates without significantly hurting your credit score, thanks to how credit-scoring models treat mortgage inquiries.

Both FICO and VantageScore, the two main credit-scoring systems, understand that consumers need to shop around when taking on a major loan like a mortgage. To account for this, they group multiple mortgage-related hard inquiries within a specific window into a single event when calculating your score:

• FICO: Groups all mortgage-related inquiries made within a 45-day window into one inquiry.
• VantageScore: Uses a 14-day window for rate shopping.

This means that if you apply with three different lenders within that rate-shopping period, it only counts as one inquiry for scoring purposes. However, all inquiries will still be visible on your credit report.

Tip: To minimize credit score impact while shopping for the best mortgage rate:

• Submit all applications within 14–45 days, depending on the scoring model your lender uses.
• Be upfront with lenders and confirm whether they’ll run a hard or soft credit pull.
• Avoid applying for other forms of credit (like credit cards or auto loans) during this time.

Being strategic with your timing ensures you’re getting the best deal without unnecessary damage to your credit score.

>> Read: How Long Does a Pre-Approval for a Mortgage Last?

Hard vs. soft credit pulls: what’s the difference?

If you’re unsure about whether a lender will perform a hard or soft pull, don’t hesitate to ask upfront.

How to protect your credit during the mortgage process

Here are a few tips to keep your credit in good shape while getting pre-approved:

• Avoid applying for new credit cards or loans.

• Continue making payments on time.

• Don’t max out existing credit limits.

• Limit pre-approval applications to one rate-shopping window.

Taking these steps can help you maintain a strong credit score while still moving forward with your homebuying plans.

Should you worry about credit impact?

Getting pre-approved is an important and necessary step in buying a home. While it may cause a small dip in your credit score, the benefits far outweigh the risks—especially if it helps you stand out to sellers in a competitive market.

Once you’re pre-approved, the next step is choosing the right loan for your needs. Check out our guide on Types of Home Loans: How to Choose the Right Mortgage for You to explore your options.