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What Is a Hard Inquiry?

By Kristi Waterworth – Updated Nov 20, 2024 at 1:26PM

Key Points

  • Hard inquiries occur when you apply for credit; they drop your score by about 5 points.
  • Rate shopping allows multiple inquiries for loans to count as one within a 14-45 day window.
  • Soft inquiries, like checking your own credit, do not affect your credit score.
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