Avoiding Loan Mistakes

Protect the approval you've earned.

Between application and closing

Small moves, big consequences.

Federal rules require lenders to re-pull your credit just before closing. Any change to your credit profile or employment can delay or jeopardize your approval. Here's how to protect it.

Do

  • Keep credit card activity to a minimum and pay all bills on time
  • Call your loan officer before any large deposit, withdrawal, or transfer between accounts
  • Keep records of any monetary gifts (with a paper trail) so they can be sourced
  • Pay earnest money by check or wire — never in cash directly to the seller
  • Save your most recent pay stubs and bank statements — underwriting may need them again before closing

Don't

  • Don't make any expensive purchases or charge up your current credit
  • Don't have anyone pull your credit report — including yourself
  • Don't apply for any new credit; ignore promotional offers
  • Don't open new accounts or close existing credit card accounts
  • Don't deposit cash without a paper trail — even legitimate gifts
  • Don't change employers if you can avoid it
  • Don't move money between accounts without calling your loan officer first
  • Don't dispute reported credit errors with the bureaus mid-loan
When in doubt, call

One minute now saves a week later.

Before any financial move during your loan — deposits, gifts, new debt, anything — a one-minute call to your loan officer saves a week of unwinding.

Find a loan officer