PROTECT YOUR SCORE
Soft check
vs. hard pull.
The fastest way to lower your credit score is to go shopping for funding the wrong way — applying to lender after lender, each one running a hard inquiry. Knowing the difference between a soft check and a hard pull saves your score exactly when you need it intact.
The short version
- A soft check doesn't affect your score — it's just a look.
- A hard pull can knock off a few points and stays on your report ~2 years.
- Many hard pulls in a short window compound — the danger when you apply everywhere.
- Shop once on a soft check; only consent to a hard pull when you're ready to move.
Two kinds of "checking your credit"
Not every credit check is equal. A soft inquiry is a look — pre-qualification, your own credit check, a lender sizing you up before you formally apply. It's invisible to other lenders and has zero effect on your score. A hard inquiry happens when a lender formally pulls your credit to make a decision. It can shave a few points and sits on your report for about two years.
A soft check is a glance. A hard pull is on the record.
One hard pull is minor. Eight is not.
A single hard inquiry usually costs only a few points and recovers within months — no reason to lose sleep. The real damage is volume. When a frustrated owner applies to eight lenders in a week, that's eight hard pulls landing at once, and to a scoring model it reads as someone scrambling for credit. The points add up at the worst possible moment: right when you're trying to qualify.
The smart way to shop
- Start with a soft check. See what you actually qualify for before anyone pulls hard.
- Shop the file once. A broker submits a single application to many funders — one inquiry, multiple offers.
- Save the hard pull for the finish line. Only consent when you've chosen an offer and are ready to move.
| Soft check | Hard pull | |
|---|---|---|
| Affects your score? | No | Yes (a few points) |
| Visible to lenders? | No | Yes |
| Stays on report | Not shown | ~2 years |
| When it happens | Pre-qualification | Formal application |
Want to see your options without the risk?
We start every file with a soft credit check, so you can find out what you qualify for without touching your score.
How Titan protects your score
This is built into how we work. We start with a soft credit check and shop that one file to multiple funders, so you get a range of real offers from a single inquiry instead of a dozen hard pulls. A hard pull only happens later, with your okay, if you decide to move forward. It's the difference between shopping smart and shopping yourself into a lower score — especially if you're funding with credit that's already tight.
Questions owners ask
Will applying for a business loan hurt my credit?
It depends on the inquiry type. A soft credit check has no effect on your score. A hard pull can lower it by a few points and stays on your report for about two years. With Titan, the initial look is a soft check.
What's the difference between a soft and hard credit inquiry?
A soft inquiry is a review that doesn't affect your score, like pre-qualification or your own credit check. A hard inquiry happens when a lender formally evaluates you for credit and can slightly lower your score.
How much does a hard inquiry lower your credit score?
Usually a few points per inquiry. The bigger risk is volume: several hard pulls in a short period can add up and signal risk to lenders.
Can I get pre-qualified without a hard pull?
Yes. Pre-qualification and initial funding options typically use a soft check, so you can see what you qualify for without affecting your score. A hard pull comes later, with your consent.
How long do hard inquiries stay on my report?
About two years, though their impact on your score fades within several months. Soft inquiries aren't visible to lenders and never affect your score.
See your options — soft check, no score hit
One short application, one soft inquiry, multiple funders. Find out what you qualify for without risking your credit.