08/19/2026
Does a mortgage pre-approval affect your credit score?
Yes. A mortgage broker will check your credit, and that shows up as a hard inquiry, which can cause a small dip in your score.
Some lenders will also pull their own separate credit report, so if you're comparing options, try to keep all mortgage credit checks within about a 2-week window. Credit bureaus generally treat those as a single inquiry for scoring purposes.
In exchange, that credit check gives you something important: real information. You'll have a clearer idea of what you may qualify for, what your payments could look like, and whether anything needs attention before you start making offers.
And just as important, a pre-approval is a starting point, not a guarantee of final mortgage approval.
If the credit-check part is making you nervous, ask us about it first. We'll explain exactly what to expect before you move forward.
Save this for when home shopping starts feeling real.
High River, AB
(403) 389-3766
mortgagetowne.ca