Knowing

just a few basic acts about inquiries and credit scores help avoid costly
misunderstandings and mistakes that can drop valuable points - -
. For most consumers, one additional inquiry will take less than five points
  off their credit scores.
. The "rate shopping" feature of credit scores allows you to have any mortgage
   auto, student loans inquiries on your credit report within any 14- or 45- day
   period with only one of those inquiries counting in the score.
. Inquiries appear on your credit report for two years, but are only considered
  by credit scores for the first year.
Consumers who still don't buy that inquiries help predict risk and detect identity
theft may instead want to consider inquiries as just one more good reason not
to apply for credit- - - - - - - - - - -