Hi Mike,

Great question. You are correct that many credit "inquiries" can concern potential and current lenders. However, only "hard" inquires--those performed by current and potential lenders, under your authorization--count against you in this fashion.

When you "pull" your own credit report, it's considered a "soft", not a hard inquiry. And soft inquiries never hurt you. So, as long as you do it yourself, through a service designed to be used only by you, then check away. :)