Credit Inquiry: Hard and Soft Inquiries

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Credit inquiries play a significant role in credit scores. These inquiries represent instances where credit reports have been accessed for evaluation. However, the impact on credit scores hinges on the type of inquiry conducted. This discourse will delve into the two primary categories: hard inquiries and soft inquiries, meticulously dissecting their influence on creditworthiness.

Table of Contents

What is a Credit Inquiry?

Credit inquiry mainly refers to a request made to review a credit report. This can occur for various reasons, but it’s important to distinguish between two primary types: hard and soft inquiries. Hard inquiries, triggered by lenders during credit applications, can slightly lower credit scores and remain on the report for two years. Conversely, soft inquiries, initiated by you for reviewing credit or by authorized entities for pre-approved offers or background checks, do not impact scores and typically aren’t seen by lenders.

Soft Credit Check (Soft Inquiry)

A soft credit check, also known as a soft inquiry, is an access and review of the credit report that does not negatively impact a credit score. Unlike hard inquiries triggered by credit applications, soft inquiries serve as educative resources. These can be initiated by you or authorized entities. Examples include checking your own credit report, receiving pre-approved credit offers, or undergoing a soft credit check for employment or insurance purposes.

When Are Soft Inquiries Made?

Soft inquiries can occur in various situations where a credit report is accessed for informational purposes, but not in connection with a new credit application. Here are some common instances that trigger a soft inquiry:

When you request your own credit report from a credit bureau or through a credit monitoring service, a soft inquiry is initiated. This allows you to review your credit history and identify any errors for correction.
Financial institutions may use soft inquiries to generate pre-approved credit cards or loan offers tailored to the credit profile. These offers are based on a preliminary assessment and do not involve a full credit application process.
Some potential employers might conduct credit checks as part of a background screening process. However, these checks are typically conducted with authorization and involve a soft inquiry.
During the application process for certain types of insurance, such as auto or renters insurance, an insurance company may perform a soft inquiry to assess creditworthiness.

Hard Credit Check (Hard Inquiry)

A hard credit check, also known as a hard inquiry, occurs when a lender requests and reviews a credit report during the application process for a new line of credit, such as a mortgage, loan, or credit card. This inquiry leaves a temporary mark on a credit report, typically for two years. While a single hard inquiry may have a minimal impact on credit score, multiple inquiries sent in a brief timeframe can be seen as a sign of increased credit risk and lead to a slight decrease in score. Responsible credit management practices, such as strategic application timing and pre-approval inquiries, can help you minimize the potential negative effects of hard checks on creditworthiness.

Circumstances That Lead to Hard Inquiries

Hard inquiries, leaving a footprint on credit reports, can potentially impact credit scores. Here are five common circumstances that trigger a hard inquiry:

Submitting a formal application for any new credit product, such as a mortgage, auto loan, personal loan, or credit card, will result in a hard inquiry. The lender will access credit reports to assess creditworthiness and determine eligibility for the requested credit.
Requesting an increase in the existing credit limit on a credit card or line of credit typically involves a hard inquiry. The lender reevaluates financial standing before granting the increase.
If you co-sign a loan for someone else (e.g., a friend or family member), a hard inquiry will appear on your credit report. This is because you become legally responsible for the loan if the primary borrower defaults.
Some landlords may perform credit checks on potential tenants to assess their financial responsibility. While not always the case, these checks might involve a hard inquiry on credit reports.
In rare instances, utility companies might conduct credit checks when establishing service and requesting a security deposit. This check could potentially trigger a hard inquiry.

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How a Credit Inquiry Works

The credit inquiry process initiates when you submit an application for a new line of credit, such as a loan or credit card. The lender, in turn, requests credit reports from one or all three major credit bureaus (Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion). This request triggers a hard inquiry, which is documented on the credit report. The credit bureau then delivers a report, containing details like credit history and score, to the lender to assist them in evaluating creditworthiness and making an informed decision regarding an application.

Difference Between Hard and Soft Credit Inquiries

Understanding the dissimilarities between hard and soft credit inquiries is crucial for managing credit health. Here’s a table summarizing the key distinctions:

Feature	Hard Inquiry	Soft Inquiry
Initiated by	Lender reviewing credit report for a new credit application	You or authorized entities for non-credit purposes
Impact on credit score	Decreases score (temporarily)	No impact
Visibility on the credit report	Remains for two years	Not visible to lenders
Examples	Applying for a loan or credit card	Checking credit reports, pre-approved offers, employment background checks

Can Credit Scores be impacted by Credit Inquiries?

Yes, credit inquiries can impact credit scores, but the severity depends on the type of inquiry. Hard inquiries, triggered when a lender reviews a credit report during an application, can cause a slight, temporary decrease in score. This is because multiple hard inquiries in a single moment in time can signal to lenders that you are seeking a significant amount of new credit, which may be perceived as a risk. However, soft inquiries, initiated by you for reviewing your own credit report or pre-approved credit offers, do not affect your score.

Are Soft Inquiries Visible on Credit Report?

In contrast to hard inquiries, soft inquiries, initiated by you or certain authorized entities for non-credit purposes, do not affect credit scores. While not visible to lenders assessing creditworthiness, soft inquiries might be present on credit reports. You can typically view them on reports obtained from all three major credit bureaus (Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion). These inquiries serve informational purposes and pose no risk to credit scores.

How Long Are Hard Credit Inquiries Recorded on a Credit Report?

Hard credit inquiries, triggered by lenders reviewing credit reports during an application process, remain on credit reports for two years. However, their influence on credit scores diminishes over time. While lenders can see all inquiries during that timeframe, the impact on the score is typically limited to the most recent twelve months. This means that a single hard inquiry might cause a slight, temporary dip in the score, but responsible credit management can help it recover quickly.

Ways to Manage and Minimize Hard Credit Inquiries

Hard credit inquiries, triggered when a lender reviews a credit report during an application process, can impact credit scores. Here are five key strategies to manage and minimize them:

1. Pre-application Research and Comparison:

Before submitting a credit application, thoroughly research and compare loan or credit card offerings from various lenders. Focus on institutions known for their approval criteria that align with their financial profile. Utilize resources like annual percentage rates (APRs), fees, and credit score requirements to narrow down options.

2. Strategic Application Sequencing:

If you require multiple credit products (e.g., mortgage and car loan) within a brief timeframe, prioritize applications strategically. Typically, mortgage inquiries hold greater weight on credit scores compared to inquiries for smaller loans or credit cards. Apply for the loan with the most significant impact first, followed by others within a condensed window.

3. Leverage Preapproval and Rate Quotes:

Many lenders offer preapproval options for mortgages, auto loans, and even credit cards. These preapprovals involve a soft inquiry and provide an estimated interest rate based on initial information. This allows you to gauge eligibility without negatively impacting your credit score. Certain lenders might offer rate quotes based on a soft inquiry. This can be beneficial for comparing rates without triggering hard inquiries for each quote.

4. Understand Grace Periods for Rate Shopping:

Most credit scoring models consider inquiries within a specific timeframe (often 30–45 days) as a single inquiry for certain loan types (e.g., mortgages). Take advantage of this grace period by researching and comparing rates from multiple lenders within that window.

5. Monitor Credit Reports Regularly:

Regularly review credit reports from all three major bureaus (Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion) for any inaccuracies. If you identify a hard inquiry you don’t recognize, dispute it with the credit bureau. Legitimate inquiries can be removed if the creditor cannot verify authorization for the credit check.

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