Here are 10 things you don’t want to do right before buying a home:
1. DO NOT change your job and even less decide to become self-employed as you will be required minimum 2 years income taxes. Lenders want income stability so you are less likely to default on the loan.
2. DO NOT change banks or you will be required a lot of information in order to source your deposits.
3. DO NOT buy anything once you have prequalified with your loan officer. Any new purchase will increase your debt-to-income ratios and thus might result in a loan denial.
4. DO NOT buy furniture on credit before closing. EVEN if you are promised no interest payments until the future. Loans have been denied at closing day due to new debts undisclosed at application. Lenders and Banks review your credit again on closing day.
5. DO NOT be late on your credit card payments nor increase its balances. Your loan approval is based on first credit score enquire. Any other credit move might result in loan being denied in the middle of the process.
6. DO NOT make any cash deposits 2 months prior a loan submission! Limit your deposits preferably from your work related compensation. Large deposits (1% of loan amount or larger) need to be sourced and explained or else banks and lenders might not accept your asset account. Your down payment needs to be “sitting” in your account for at least two months prior to application (known as “seasoning”) so funds don’t just appear “out of nowhere”.
7. DO NOT lie on your loan application. Sounds simple, right? Omitting recent debts not showing on credit or liabilities you have or fudge your income is fraud.
8. DO NOT co-sign a loan for anyone. Even if you’re not the one making the payments on that loan, it will show up on your credit and thus increase your debt-to-income ratio.
9. DO NOT make too many inquiries on your credit. Looking for new credit translates into higher risk for lenders. If your inquiries are related to your mortgage search, it usually doesn’t affect your credit score because the assumption is you are rate shopping. But opening credit accounts within a short period of time represents some risk and your credit could take a hit. It’s probably not a huge factor in your calculating your ability to repay a loan but why take a chance at this juncture?
10. DO NOT spend the money you will need for closing costs. Part of the price of financing a loan is the closing costs and you’ll likely have some responsibility for paying them. Make sure you have enough saved for your share of the obligation.
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I highly recommend Joan. I reached out to Clear Lending because I was not receiving information and good customer service from the first mortgage company I reached out to. Joan was extremely professional,informative and patient. He spoke to me for over 45 minutes and answered so many questions that I had as a first-time home buyer. I was looking for the Michael Jordan of mortgage brokers and Joan at Clear Lending is exactly that! He definitely cares and works very hard To help his clients in any way that he can.
Thank you guys for all the long hours you all have dedicated to get me approved and close my first home. As first time home buyer, I had no clue who to go with as this process can get overwhelming. I had contacted my bank plus a couple of options and somehow I felt I would be wasting my time. When I contacted clearlending I got the feeling they meant business and it has been fast and no lender fees. I can tell Joan is very knowlegeable after he would show me at every home appointment what to pay attention and what not to worry in regards the house structure. I was always told in Houston homes may have foundation issues and Joan gave me detailed explanations. This guy knows a lot. I truly recommend him. Thanks Joan.
Thanks Joan, Patricia and Jorge for helping us to buy our first home. You all are kind, knowledgeable and very professional. Even thgough we were referred to you guys and so we were told you were amazing, my husband and I are happy to confirm you are everything our friends already told us about working with Clear Lending. We will use you again for an investment house we have soon in mind. Thanks again for your hard work.