Does a prequalification letter hurt your credit?
Sophia Koch
Updated on January 26, 2026
Can a Mortgage Prequalification Affect Your Credit? As long as the mortgage prequalification only asks you to share an estimated credit score, or the lender checks your credit with a soft pull, your credit won’t be affected.
Do they run your credit for a pre approval letter?
Your lender will pull your credit reports during the preapproval process. This is known as a hard inquiry and will usually lower your credit scores by a few points. If you’re shopping for a mortgage, you have a window of time where multiple inquiries are counted as a single inquiry for your credit scores.
Does getting preapproved affect your credit?
Prequalification typically involves a soft credit inquiry, which does not affect your credit score, though some lenders may skip this altogether. The preapproval process for auto loans (and mortgages) is more involved than prequalification, resulting in a more accurate approved loan amount.
Can I get a pre-approval without a credit check?
Without your credit report, your lender can only give you estimates. This means the approval amount, loan program and interest rate might change as the lender gets more information. A preapproval will also require a hard credit check so your lender can get your credit score and see how much other debt you have.
How long is a preapproval letter good for?
60 days
Pre-Approval letters are good for 60 days from date of issuance. They can be extended for 30 additional days with underwriter authorization.
What good is a pre-approval letter?
A preapproval letter just says that a lender is willing to lend to you – pending further confirmation of details. A preapproval helps you shop for a home, because it lets the seller know you are a serious buyer.
Does pre-approval cost money?
How much does pre-approval cost? Pre-approval is free with many lenders. However, some charge an application fee, with average fees ranging from $300–$400. These fees may be credited back toward your closing costs if you move forward with that lender.
How does a preapproval letter affect your credit?
If the mortgage or auto lender did not run your credit for the prequalification, the company will run your credit for the preapproval. A preapproval letter indicates that you meet the requirements for a home or auto loan. Investopedia: Pre-qualified vs. Pre-approved: What’s the Difference?
Can a loan officer issue a pre-approval letter?
If the loan file gets a “thumbs up” from the underwriter, your loan officer can issue a pre-approval letter. As you can see, a pre-approval letter is more meaningful because an underwriter has researched and verified your credit and capacity to repay a loan. No property appraisal or title review has yet been performed.
When do I have to pay my credit approval letter?
You are required to pay the first payment on [Date]. After this, you will have to make regular payments on the 1 st of each month. You are advised to review the loan agreement and the banks terms and conditions, at the bank. The bank will then provide you with a promissory document.
How to write a letter to grant credit approval samples?
Here are two samples to give you an idea about writing a credit approval letter. We are pleased to inform you that your application for credit has been approved. The allowed credit limit for you is $ 60,000/- with a monthly interest rate of 3.5% on the total bill. Billing will be done on the 15th of every month.