Do Multiple Credit Pulls Hurt My Score?

One of the biggest myths in mortgage shopping is that getting multiple rate quotes will hurt your credit score. Here’s the truth: credit bureaus understand you're shopping around, and their scoring models are designed to accommodate that. When lenders pull your credit for a mortgage, it’s called a “hard inquiry.” However, if you apply with several lenders within a short window (typically 14–45 days), it only counts as one inquiry in your credit score calculation.

This allows you to compare rates and terms across lenders without damaging your credit — a smart move that could save you thousands over the life of your loan. Still, the inquiries will be visible to you and lenders, but the scoring impact remains minimal if done correctly.

So, don’t let fear keep you from shopping around. Instead, plan to get all your quotes within the same two-week period. And be sure to ask each lender for a Loan Estimate so you can make an apples-to-apples comparison.