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No, prequalification typically uses a soft credit inquiry, which does not affect your credit score. A hard credit pull only occurs when you formally submit a full mortgage application. This means you can explore your refinancing options, compare estimated rates, and consult with our loan officers without any impact on your credit report.

For an initial prequalification, you typically need to share your estimated income, current mortgage balance, home value estimate, and credit range. For a full refinance preapproval, you'll need recent pay stubs, 2 years of W-2s or tax returns, 2–3 months of bank statements, your current mortgage statement, and a government-issued ID. Self-employed borrowers will also need business tax returns or a bank statement package.

You may qualify to refinance if you have at least 5% equity in your home, a credit score of 580 or higher (depending on the loan type), stable income, and a current mortgage in good standing. Even if you've had past credit challenges, VA and FHA streamline programs have more flexible requirements. The fastest way to know your options is to complete a quick prequalification with Sistar Mortgage. It takes just minutes.

Your savings depend on your current rate vs. the new rate, your remaining loan balance, and your new loan term. Lowering your rate by 1% on a $300,000 mortgage can save $150–$200 per month, or $1,800+ per year. Shortening your term from 30 to 15 years can save tens of thousands in interest, though monthly payments increase. Use our mortgage calculator at sistarmortgage.com/calculator for a personalized estimate.

Our refinance prequalification typically takes just a few minutes online or by phone. You'll receive an initial assessment the same day in most cases. Moving to a full preapproval with document verification generally takes 1 to 3 business days. Our loan officers will walk you through every step and help you determine whether the numbers make sense before you commit to anything.

A refinance prequalification letter is typically valid for 60 to 90 days. If market rates shift significantly or your financial situation changes during that period, your loan officer can quickly update your prequalification. To protect your eligibility during this window, avoid applying for new credit, making large purchases, or changing jobs, all of which can affect your debt-to-income ratio and loan approval.

Yes. Sistar Mortgage works with credit scores starting at 580. FHA Streamline refinances can be particularly forgiving for borrowers with lower scores and an existing FHA loan. VA IRRRL refinances for veterans have no official minimum credit score. Getting prequalified even with imperfect credit gives you a clear picture of your current options, and our loan officers can recommend steps to improve your terms over time.