Do I Have to Use My Credit When Buying a House?
If you’re thinking about buying a home, one of the first questions you might ask is, “Do I have to use my credit when buying a house?” The short answer is yes — your credit is one of the most important factors lenders look at when deciding if you qualify for a mortgage.
But there’s a lot more to it than that. Your credit not only impacts whether you get approved, but also what interest rate you receive, how much you can borrow, and ultimately what your monthly payment will be.
Let’s break down why credit pulls are so important, what happens when your credit is checked, and how to protect yourself from the annoying marketing calls that often follow.
Why Your Credit Matters When Buying a Home
Your credit report tells lenders a story about how you’ve handled debt in the past. It shows things like:
How many accounts you have open
How long you’ve had credit
Whether you make payments on time
How much of your available credit you use
This helps a lender decide how risky it might be to loan you hundreds of thousands of dollars. The better your credit history, the more likely you’ll qualify for a mortgage with a lower interest rate.
A strong credit score could save you thousands of dollars over the life of your loan. Even a small difference in your interest rate — say 6.75% versus 6.25% — can mean tens of thousands in interest savings.
Hard vs. Soft Credit Pulls
Many people worry that a credit check will hurt their score. While it’s true that a hard credit pull (the kind used for a mortgage pre-approval) can temporarily lower your score by a few points, it’s a normal and necessary part of the process.
A soft credit pull is different — it’s what you see when you check your own score through an app like Credit Karma. Soft pulls don’t impact your score.
Mortgage lenders need a full credit report with scores from all three credit bureaus (Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion) to give you a real pre-approval. This allows them to see the most accurate picture of your credit history and match you with the best loan options.
How Lenders Use Your Credit
Once your credit report is pulled, lenders analyze three main areas:
Your Credit Score: Typically, lenders look at the middle score of the three bureaus. This is called your “qualifying score.”
Your Payment History: Late payments, collections, and bankruptcies are reviewed to see how recently they occurred.
Your Debt-to-Income Ratio (DTI): Your credit report shows your monthly obligations, which are compared to your income to ensure you can handle the new mortgage payment.
Together, these factors help the lender determine what you qualify for and how much house you can afford.
Why You Might Get Phone Calls After a Credit Pull
If you’ve ever had your credit pulled and suddenly started receiving calls from other lenders, you’re not alone. This happens because the credit bureaus sell “trigger leads” — meaning other lenders are notified that someone is shopping for a mortgage, and they may start reaching out to offer competing deals.
It can be frustrating to get several calls or emails after you’ve already chosen a loan officer you trust.
What You Can Do About It
The good news is you have options to stop or reduce these calls. According to the flyer from our team, you can opt out of these marketing offers by visiting www.optoutprescreen.com or calling 888-5-OPT-OUT. This removes your information from the lists that credit bureaus sell to other companies.
It’s best to do this a few days before you apply for a mortgage if you want to avoid most of the follow-up solicitations.
How to Prepare Your Credit Before Applying
If you’re getting ready to buy a home, there are a few things you can do to get your credit in the best shape possible:
Check Your Credit Report: Review it for errors and dispute anything inaccurate.
Pay Down Balances: Try to keep your credit card utilization below 30% of your limit.
Avoid New Credit: Don’t open new credit cards or take out new loans right before applying for a mortgage.
Make All Payments on Time: Even one late payment can hurt your score.
Small improvements can make a big difference in the loan programs and interest rates available to you.
Don’t Be Afraid of a Credit Pull
Some buyers hesitate to get their credit pulled early because they’re worried about lowering their score. In reality, the impact is minimal and temporary — and the benefits far outweigh the cost.
Getting pre-approved with a hard credit pull gives you real numbers to work with and helps you shop with confidence. Plus, multiple credit pulls for mortgage purposes within a short window (typically 14-45 days) are usually treated as a single inquiry by credit scoring models.
The Bottom Line
So, do you have to use your credit when buying a house? Absolutely — and that’s a good thing. Your credit history is what helps lenders find the best possible financing options for you.
While it may result in a few unwanted calls from competing lenders, you can take steps to opt out of those offers and stay focused on your homebuying journey.
The key is to work with a trusted loan officer who can explain your credit report, walk you through the pre-approval process, and help you make the smartest financial decision for your future.