The Real story on credit reports

                   Soft Credit Pulls: The Credit Check That Doesn’t Judge You

Let’s talk about the soft pull—aka the chill, low-drama cousin of the hard credit inquiry.

So… what is a soft pull anyway?

A soft credit inquiry is the most common type of credit check out there. You’ve already met it, whether you realize it or not. Every time you peek at your credit on sites like Credit Karma, MyFICO, or CreditWise, that’s a soft pull doing its thing behind the scenes.These platforms typically use scoring models like FICO 8or VantageScore 3.0. Mortgage lenders, however, like to be a little extra and may run a soft pull using the classic mortgage scores: FICO 2, 4, and 5. (Yes, the older ones. No, they are not going anywhere.)

Does a soft pull affect my credit score?

Short answer: Nope. Not even a little.
Long answer: Still no.

A soft pull does not impact your credit score and other lenders can’t see it. It’s completely invisible to anyone who doesn’t need to know—and honestly, we love that energy.

But are soft pull scores “wrong”?

Not necessarily. Despite what your cousin’s barber’s neighbor told you, a soft pull does not automatically mean the score is inaccurate. Many credit algorithms can generate reliable scores using either soft or hard inquiries. A soft pull simply means the lender is checking your credit without causing any damage. Think of it as looking, not touching.

Why lenders use soft pulls

Soft pulls are perfect for:

• Pre-approvals
• Early mortgage planning
• Rate shopping conversations
• Getting an idea of where you stand before making anything official

In other words, it’s a way to explore your options without commitment, consequences, or side-eye from your credit report.

The bottom line

A soft pull:

• ✔     Does not lower your score
• ✔     Is not visible to other lenders
• ✔     Can still provide useful, legitimate credit information
• ✔     Lets you test the waters without jumping in fully clothed

So if someone offers to start with a soft credit pull, relax. Your score will be just fine. Your future self will thank you. And your credit report won’t even remember it happened.

Now that’s a win. 💁‍♀️

                Hard Credit Pulls: The Credit Check That Actually Counts

Alright. Deep breath. Let’s talk about the hard pull—the one that means business and absolutely shows up on your credit report like, “Hi, I was here.”

What is a hard pull?

A hard credit inquiry happens when you’re officially applying for new credit. Think:

• Mortgages
• Auto loans
• New credit cards
• Any situation where a lender needs to decide if they’re about to trust you      with a lot of money

Unlike a soft pull, a hard pull is always initiated by a third party. Translation: you usually can’t just run one on yourself for fun (and honestly, why would you).

And yes—other lenders can see it. Loud and clear.

Does a hard pull affect my credit score?

Yes. But let’s not panic.

A single hard inquiry typically lowers your score by about 2–5 points, depending on your overall credit profile. For most people, that’s more of a paper cut than a broken bone.The real issue isn’t one hard pull—it’s a bunch of them stacked together.

When hard pulls become a problem.

Multiple hard inquiries in a short period of time can make it look like you’re:

• Desperate for credit
• Financially unstable
• On a first-name basis with every bank in town

And lenders don’t love that vibe.

Too many hard pulls can:

• Lower  your score further
• Raise  red flags
• Potentially prevent approval altogether

In short, it can make lenders wonder if you’re trying to open a credit buffet when you should be ordering à la carte.

Why lenders use hard pulls

Hard pulls exist for a reason. They allow lenders to:

• Verify your creditworthiness
• Assess risk accurately
• Decide whether to approve, deny, or adjust terms

If you’re asking for real money, a real credit check is part of the deal.

The bottom line

A hard pull:

• ✔     Happens when you apply for new credit
• ✔     Is visible to other lenders
• ✔     May lower your score slightly
• ✔     Becomes risky only when you have too many

One hard pull for the right reason? Totally normal. Five hard pulls because you got bored and applied for everything with a logo? Not ideal. Handled wisely, a hard credit pull is just a necessary step toward bigger financial goals—like buying a home, a car, or finally upgrading from that card with the embarrassing limit.

We’ve all been there. 💅