At Perch, we make exploring mortgage options easy—and worry-free for your credit score.

When you get pre-approved or compare mortgage rates through Perch, we use Equifax soft credit checks. These soft checks have absolutely no impact on your credit score. Feel free to use our tools, calculators, or view your property value estimates with complete confidence, knowing your credit remains unaffected.

If you decide to move forward with an official mortgage application, we'll request your explicit consent before conducting a hard credit check (also known as a hard pull). A hard check may also be necessary in rare cases where a soft check cannot be completed.

It's important to remember that credit checks are only one small factor influencing your overall credit score. Plus, when shopping for mortgages, Equifax groups credit checks performed within a 14- to 45-day window into a single inquiry. This means you can comfortably explore multiple options without significantly impacting your credit.

A credit check is when a lender or financial institution reviews your credit history to assess your financial reliability. It helps them understand your borrowing habits, outstanding debts, and how responsibly you manage credit. There are two types: soft and hard credit checks.

A soft credit check (or soft pull) provides a snapshot of your credit report without affecting your credit score. These checks are often used for background reviews, pre-approvals, or rate comparisons.

When you get pre-approved or compare mortgage rates through Perch, we use Equifax soft credit checks. These soft checks have absolutely no impact on your credit score. Feel free to use our tools, calculators, or view your property value estimates with complete confidence.

A hard credit check (or hard pull) is a more in-depth review of your credit report. It typically happens when you formally apply for a loan or mortgage and can have a small, temporary impact on your credit score.

If you decide to move forward with an official mortgage application through Perch, we’ll request your explicit consent before conducting a hard credit check. In rare cases, if a soft check cannot be completed, a hard check may be necessary.

No—at least not significantly. Equifax groups mortgage-related credit checks performed within a 14- to 45-day window into a single inquiry. This means you can comfortably explore multiple options without significantly impacting your credit score.