How Does Refinancing a Home Affect Your Credit Score

Person checking Credit Score on bank app in mobile device while drinking coffee in the morning

Refinancing a home can have an impact on your credit score, but the specific effects will depend on various factors. Here’s what you need to know about how refinancing a home can affect your credit score:

Refinancing can result in a hard inquiry on your credit report.

When you apply for a refinance, lenders will typically check your credit report and score to determine your creditworthiness. This process is known as a hard inquiry, and it can have a temporary impact on your credit score. Hard inquiries can cause your credit score to drop slightly, but the effect is usually minimal and disappears within a few months.

Refinancing can affect your credit utilization ratio.

Your credit utilization ratio is a key factor in your credit score, and it measures the amount of credit you are using compared to the amount of credit you have available. If you refinance and take out a larger mortgage, it can increase your credit utilization ratio, which can have a negative impact on your credit score. However, if you refinance and take out a smaller mortgage, it can decrease your credit utilization ratio, which can have a positive impact on your credit score.

Refinancing can affect the length of your credit history.

The length of your credit history is another factor in your credit score, and it reflects the amount of time you have had credit accounts. If you refinance and take out a new mortgage, it can shorten the length of your credit history, which can have a negative impact on your credit score. However, if you have a long credit history and a strong credit score, the impact of refinancing on your credit history may be minimal.

Refinancing can affect your payment history.

Your payment history is an important factor in your credit score, and it reflects whether you have made your credit payments on time. If you refinance and take out a new mortgage, it’s important to make sure you make your mortgage payments on time. Late or missed payments can have a negative impact on your credit score and can also result in late fees and other penalties.

Final Thoughts

Refinancing a home can affect your credit score in several ways. It can result in a hard inquiry on your credit report, affect your credit utilization ratio, affect the length of your credit history, and affect your payment history. By understanding how refinancing can impact your credit score and taking steps to manage your credit, you can help protect your credit score and make the most of your refinancing experience.