What Should I NOT Do Between Pre-Approval and Closing?

Don't change your financial picture. Your loan was approved based on a snapshot, and a lender can look again before closing. Anything that changes the snapshot can cause trouble.

I'm a Home Buying Realtor in New Berlin, WI, and I tell every buyer the same thing at the start: keep it boring until you have the keys.

No new credit cards, car loans, or store accounts. Even one new account can change your credit score and your debt, and your lender may check both again before closing.

That means furniture, appliances, a car, or a vacation on credit. You'll want to fill the new home. Wait until after closing.

A new job, a pay change, or a move from salary to commission can matter to the loan. If a change is coming, tell your lender first, before it happens.

Large deposits or transfers you can't explain can slow the loan. Lenders want to see where your down payment came from, so keep your records, and don't shift money between accounts without asking.

If you co-sign a loan, it counts as your debt. That includes helping a family member with a car or a student loan.

Pay every bill on time, every month. A late payment can show up on your credit report.

If your lender asks for a paper, send it right away. Many delays come from a missing pay stub or bank statement, not from the loan itself.

• Keep paying your bills the way you always have
• Save your pay stubs, bank statements, and any letters about gifts
• Tell your lender before any change to your job, your income, or your accounts
• Call me if you're not sure whether something will matter

I work with several trusted loan officers, and I keep in touch with your lender throughout, so nothing catches us by surprise. If you use another lender, I'll work with them too.

If you aren't sure, ask first. A two-minute call to your lender costs nothing, and it can save the deal. Nothing on this list is hard. It's just a few months of keeping things the same, and it's worth it.

Your lender approved you for a specific loan. If your debts, income, or credit change before closing, the lender may have to rework the numbers, or in the worst case decline the loan. That's rare when people stay steady, and it's easy to prevent. Once you have the keys, you can spend again.

If you're in New Berlin and nearing your purchase, call me. I'm a residential Realtor in New Berlin, WI, with a real estate agency behind me, Realty Experts LLC. I answer the phone, and I'll help you keep the road clear. No pressure.

See how I help buyers in New Berlin. I'm Rich Barnes, and my number is 414-899-8146.