LendingTree Hard Pull Explained: What It Means for Your Credit Score

Key Takeaways

• LendingTree usually performs a soft pull when you start a loan search, but a hard pull can happen if you request a formal pre‑approval.
• A hard pull may lower your credit score by 5‑10 points and stays on your report for two years.
• Soft pulls never affect your score and are visible only to you.
• Know when a hard pull is triggered and use strategies to limit unnecessary inquiries.

Ever typed LendingTree is an online marketplace that connects borrowers with multiple lenders and wondered whether the platform is silently dinging your credit? The short answer is: it depends on the stage of your loan journey. This article breaks down exactly when LendingTree does a hard pull, what a hard pull actually is, and how you can protect your credit score while still hunting for the best loan rates.

What Is a Credit Pull?

Every time a lender wants to see your credit history, they request a hard pull also called a hard credit inquiry, which records a formal request for your full credit report. This type of inquiry is reported to the three major credit bureaus-Experian a major U.S. consumer credit reporting agency, Equifax another leading credit bureau that aggregates credit data, and TransUnion the third primary credit reporting agency in the United States. Because the request suggests you might be about to take on new debt, the bureaus treat it as a risk factor.

A soft pull or soft credit inquiry, is a casual check that does not show up on your credit report for lenders. Soft pulls happen when you check your own score, when an employer does a background check, or when a lender offers pre‑qualification without a firm commitment. They are invisible to other creditors and haveno impact on your score.

How LendingTree Checks Your Credit

When you first land on LendingTree, the platform asks for basic information-your name, address, and the type of loan you’re interested in. At this point, LendingTree typically runs a LendingTree hard pull‑free soft inquiry to generate a list of potential lenders. The soft pull pulls the same data you would see on a free credit‑score app, but it stays private and does not affect your credit.

If you click on a specific loan offer and decide to “Apply Now,” the next step often involves a more detailed application. At this stage, LendingTree may submit a formal request to the chosen lender, which usually translates into a hard pull. The exact moment a hard pull occurs can vary:

1. Pre‑approval requests: Some lenders require a hard pull to lock in an interest rate before you receive a binding offer.
2. Full loan applications: When you complete all required fields, upload documentation, and sign electronically, the lender will pull your full report.
3. Rate‑shopping windows: Certain lenders consider multiple hard pulls within a 45‑day window as a single inquiry for scoring models, but this only applies if the inquiries are for the same type of loan.

All of these actions are disclosed in the platform’s terms of service, and you’ll usually see a notification before a hard pull is initiated. However, if you’re merely browsing rates, you can safely assume that only a soft pull has taken place.

Impact of a Hard Pull on Your Credit Score

A typical hard pull can drop a FICO score the most widely used credit scoring model in the United States by 5‑10 points. The exact dip depends on:

• The number of recent inquiries you already have.
• Your overall credit profile-people with thin files feel a larger impact.
• The scoring model used (FICO vs VantageScore).

Hard pulls stay on your credit report a detailed record of your borrowing and repayment history maintained by credit bureaus for two years, but their influence on the score generally fades after 12 months.

How to Avoid Unnecessary Hard Pulls on LendingTree

If you’re in the early stages of shopping for a loan, follow these tips to keep your score pristine:

• Use the “pre‑qualification” option before clicking any “Apply Now” button. Pre‑qualification relies on soft pulls.
• Read the fine print: Look for language like “may result in a credit inquiry.” If you’re unsure, contact the lender’s support team.
• Space out applications: If you need to compare offers from multiple lenders, do it within a 30‑day window so the bureaus count them as a single inquiry.
• Monitor your credit using a free score service. Seeing a new hard inquiry appear lets you spot any unexpected pulls quickly.

Remember, a single hard pull isn’t catastrophic, but a cascade of them can signal risk to future lenders and drive your rates up.

Hard Pull vs. Soft Pull: Quick Comparison

Real‑World Scenarios

Scenario 1 - First‑time Homebuyer: Jane uses LendingTree to explore mortgage rates. She fills out the quick questionnaire and receives a list of lenders based on a soft pull. She chooses a lender that requires a hard pull for pre‑approval. After she clicks “Apply,” her score drops a few points, but she locks in a 3.75% rate-worth the trade‑off.

Scenario 2 - Credit‑Card Shopper: Raj is comparing credit‑card offers. He clicks “See My Offers” on LendingTree, which triggers only a soft pull. He decides to apply for one card, which causes a hard inquiry. Because he applied for two cards within 30 days, both inquiries count as a single event in most scoring models.

Scenario 3 - Small‑Business Owner: Priya wants a business line of credit. LendingTree’s platform runs a soft pull to match her with potential lenders. When she proceeds with a specific lender’s application, a hard pull occurs, and her score dips. Since she already has several business loans, the extra inquiry nudges her credit utilization metric higher, emphasizing the need to plan pulls carefully.

What to Do If You Spot an Unexpected Hard Pull

Sometimes a hard pull appears you didn’t anticipate. Follow these steps:

1. Log into your credit‑monitoring account (e.g., Credit Karma, Experian). Identify the date and the creditor listed.
2. Cross‑reference the date with any recent activity on LendingTree. If you applied for a loan, it’s likely legitimate.
3. If the inquiry is unknown, contact the listed creditor immediately. Request a fraud alert or dispute the inquiry.
4. Place a credit freeze if you suspect identity theft. This prevents further unauthorized hard pulls.

Bottom Line

Understanding when LendingTree does a hard pull equips you to manage your credit score proactively. Soft pulls are harmless and great for initial shopping, while hard pulls are inevitable for final loan approvals. By timing your applications, using pre‑qualification wisely, and keeping an eye on your credit report, you can minimize score dips and still secure the best rates.