What NOT to Do After Applying for a Mortgage

The 10 don’ts

1. Don’t buy a car — the new monthly payment can wreck your debt-to-income ratio.
2. Don’t open new credit cards — even a store card at checkout.
3. Don’t change jobs — especially from salaried to self-employed or commission.
4. Don’t make large undocumented deposits — underwriters need a paper trail for big money.
5. Don’t miss any payments — payment history is everything right now.
6. Don’t finance furniture or appliances — “no payments till next year” still shows as new debt.
7. Don’t co-sign a loan for anyone — it counts against you.
8. Don’t move money between accounts without keeping records — it looks like undocumented activity.
9. Don’t close old credit accounts — it can shorten your credit history and ding your score.
10. Don’t ignore your lender’s emails — missing a document request can delay closing.

Why — how underwriters re-verify before closing

Many buyers think the credit check at preapproval is the only one. It is not. Lenders typically re-pull credit and re-verify employment shortly before closing. Any new debt, score drop, or income change that appears can change your numbers — and a loan that was “approved” can be paused or denied at the worst possible moment.

A real-world cautionary example

What to do instead

• Keep your finances boring until after closing.
• Park any big purchases (cars, furniture) until the keys are in hand.
• If something unavoidable comes up — a job offer, an inheritance — call your lender first.
• Respond to document requests same-day.

Frequently asked questions