02/22/2018
While you are considering the purchase of your home, you should not do anything that will have an adverse affect on
your credit score or employment while your loan is in process. We know it can be tempting. When you are moving into a
new home, you might be thinking about purchasing new appliances or furniture, but this is really not the right time to go
shopping with your credit cards. You’ll want to remain in a stable position until the loan closes and give us the
opportunity to help you close your loan as smoothly as possible.
DON’T APPLY FOR NEW CREDIT OF ANY KIND
You will receive invitations to apply for new lines of credit, do not respond. If you do, the company will pull your credit report and this could have
an adverse effect on your credit score. Likewise, don’t establish new lines of credit for furniture, appliances, computers, fences, etc.
DON’T PAY OFF COLLECTIONS OR CHARGE OFFS
Once your loan application has been submitted, don’t pay off collection unless the lender specifically asks you to in order to secure your loan.
Often times, paying off old collections will cause a drop in your credit score.
DON’T CLOSE CREDIT CARD ACCOUNTS
If you close a credit card account, it can affect your ratio of debt to available credit which has a 30% impact on your credit score. If you really
want to close an account, do it after you close your mortgage.
DON’T MAX OUT OR OVER CHARGE EXISTING CREDIT CARDS
Running up your credit cards is the fastest way to bring your score down and it could drop up to 100 points overnight. Once you are engaged in
the loan process, try to keep your credit cards below 50% of the available credit limit.
DON’T CONSOLIDATE DEBT TO ONE OR TWO CARDS
Once again, we do not want you to change your ratio of debt to available credit. Likewise, you want to keep beneficial credit history on the
books.
DON’T RAISE RED FLAGS TO THE UNDERWRITER
Don’t co-sign on another person’s loan, or change your name or address. The less activity that occurs while your loan is in process, the better it
is for you.
DON’T CHANGE ANYTHING ABOUT YOUR CURRENT EMPLOYMENT
Changing jobs, being laid-off or taking medical leave can adversely affect your mortgage. Lenders verify your employment on the day of closing.
If your employment status changes, please consult your loan officer right away.
DO STAY CURRENT ON ALL EXISTING ACCOUNTS
Late payments on your existing mortgage, car payment, rent or anything else that can be reported to a credit reporting agency and can cost you
dearly. One 30 day late payment can cost you 30-75 points on your credit score.
DO CONTINUE TO USE YOUR CREDIT AS YOU NORMALLY WOULD
Red flags are easily raised within the scoring system. If it appears you are diverting from your normal spending patterns, it could cause your
score to go down. For example, if you’ve had a monthly service for Internet access billed to the same credit card for the past three years.
DO NOT DEPOSIT LARGE SUMS OF CASH
Do not deposit large sums of cash into your accounts unless you can provide documentation and a complete paper trail. If you have any deposits
that are not related to payroll, tell your loan officer right away.
GETTING GIFT MONEY
Make sure you speak to your loan originator before receiving, depositing or using any gift money. It is very important to follow the proper
procedures.
DO CALL YOUR LOAN ORIGINATOR
If you receive notification from a collection agency or creditor that could potentially have an adverse effect on your credit score call me so we can
try to direct you to the right resources and prevent any derogatory reporting to credit bureaus.
Dos and Don’ts
when Buying a Home
William DeLa Torre
Licensed Mortgage Originator
NMLS # 422723
Mob: 856.562.2286
[email protected]
www.annie-mac.com
700 East Gate Drive • Suite 400 • Mount Laurel, NJ 08054. American Neighborhood Mortgage Acceptance Company is licensed by the New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance ( ), Licensed by the
Pennsylvania Department of Banking as a Mortgage Lender ( #33587)
