Inquiry Overload? How to Shop Rates Without Tankin’ Your Score

You finally find a house you love, get excited, and start calling lenders for rates. Then your score drops 20 points from all the inquiries, and suddenly the house feels out of reach again. Sound familiar? It happens to everyone. Here’s how to shop rates like a pro without hurting your score.

The secret is the 14-day rule , all mortgage inquiries in a short window count as just one hit. Line up three to five lenders and get quotes in two weeks. Start with soft-pull tools like LendingTree or Credible to compare without any ding. Only go for hard pulls when you're serious. Skip new credit cards or car loans during this time , one extra inquiry outside the window can cost you points and a better rate.

Shopping smart can land you a half-percent lower rate, saving $30,000 on a $200K loan. Do it wrong and you pay more every month for years.

Don't let fear of inquiries stop you from getting the best deal. Use the 14-day window, compare freely, and walk into closing with confidence.

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