Will you run a soft or hard credit check?

Applies to: United States.

For the standard US home-financing application route, a soft credit inquiry may be used during prequalification. A hard credit check is required for final approval and may be needed before your file can be submitted to the investor's underwriting team.

Before a credit inquiry, confirm which type will be used at that stage and what authorization is required. If you are exploring options, explain that you want to understand the preliminary review first.

What if my credit file is frozen?

Tell your processor. Ask which credit access is needed and when it needs to be available so the required review can proceed. A soft inquiry completed earlier does not mean the later underwriting credit requirement has been satisfied.

Your processor can explain the next step for your file. The effect of an inquiry on an individual credit score is not determined by this article.