What are hard inquiries and how do they affect my credit score?

What are hard inquiries and how do they affect my credit score?

Hard inquiries occur when a lender checks your credit report for lending decisions. They can lower your credit score temporarily.

How long do hard inquiries stay on my credit report?

Hard inquiries typically remain on your credit report for about two years, but their impact on your score diminishes over time.

Can I remove hard inquiries from my credit report?

You can dispute inaccurate hard inquiries with the credit bureau, but legitimate inquiries cannot be removed before the two-year mark.

How many hard inquiries is too many?

Generally, having more than 3-5 hard inquiries in a short period can be seen as risky by lenders and may affect your score.

What can I do to improve my credit score after hard inquiries?

To improve your credit score, focus on paying bills on time, reducing debt, and maintaining a low credit utilization ratio.