Once youve found your dream home and applied for a mortgage, there are some key things to keep in mind before you close. Its exciting to start thinking about moving in and decorating your new place, but before you make any large purchases, move your money around, or make any major life changes, be sure to consult your lender someone whos qualified to explain how your financial decisions may impact your home loan.
Heres a list of things you shouldnt do after applying for a mortgage. Theyre all important to know or simply just good reminders for the process.
1. Dont Deposit Cash into Your Bank Accounts Before Speaking with Your Bank or Lender.
Lenders need to source your money, and cash isnt easily traceable. Before you deposit any amount of cash into your accounts, discuss the proper way to document your transactions with your loan officer.
2. Dont Make Any Large Purchases Like a New Car or Furniture for Your Home.
New debt comes with new monthly obligations. New obligations create new qualifications. People with new debt have higher debt-to-income ratios. Since higher ratios make for riskier loans, qualified borrowers may end up no longer qualifying for their mortgage.
3. Dont Co-Sign Other Loans for Anyone.
When you co-sign, youre obligated. With that obligation comes higher debt-to-income ratios as well. Even if you promise you wont be the one making the payments, your lender will have to count the payments against you.
4. Dont Change Bank Accounts.
Remember, lenders need to source and track your assets. That task is much easier when theres consistency among your accounts. Before you transfer any money, speak with your loan officer.
5. Dont Apply for New Credit.
It doesnt matter whether its a new credit card or a new car. When you have your credit report run by organizations in multiple financial channels (mortgage, credit card, auto, etc.), your FICO score will be impacted. Lower credit scores can determine your interest rate and possibly even your eligibility for approval.
6. Dont Close Any Credit Accounts.
Many buyers believe having less available credit makes them less risky and more likely to be approved. This isnt true. A major component of your score is your length and depth of credit history (as opposed to just your payment history) and your total usage of credit as a percentage of available credit. Closing accounts has a negative impact on both of those determinants of your score.
Bottom Line
Any blip in income, assets, or credit should be reviewed and executed in a way that ensures your home loan can still be approved. If your job or employment status has changed recently, share that with your lender as well. The best plan is to fully disclose and discuss your intentions with your loan officer before you do anything financial in nature.
