 TITLE: How Can I Get Prequalified for a Mortgage Loan? CONTENT: How Does a Mortgage Prequalification Affect Your Credit?\n--------------------------------------------------------\nAs with other loan types, getting prequalified for a mortgage won't hurt your credit score. That's because the lender will typically run just a soft credit inquiry, which will show up on your credit report but won't impact your credit score.\nIf you decide to move forward to get preapproved, though, expect a hard credit check, which can impact your credit score negatively, if only by a little.\nBefore you start this process, it's crucial to speak with your mortgage lender or broker to make sure you understand what you're agreeing to with prequalification. The last thing you want is a surprise hard inquiry when you thought your credit score was safe. END