10 Things Your Mortgage Lender Wishes You Knew Before Buying a Home

Buying a home is one of the biggest financial decisions you'll ever make. Once you're pre-approved, it can feel like the hard part is over.

Not quite.

From the day you're pre-approved until the day you sign the closing papers, your lender is watching to make sure your financial situation stays consistent. Even small changes can create delays, extra paperwork, or in some cases, put your loan approval at risk.

Don't worry—we're not trying to scare you! Most of these mistakes are incredibly easy to avoid once you know what they are.

At The Marlo Team, we always tell our buyers: When in doubt, ask before you act. A quick phone call can save weeks of frustration.

Here are 10 things your mortgage lender wishes every buyer knew.

1. Don't Open New Credit Cards or Loans

That 20% off offer at the furniture store?
The dealership advertising "No Payments for 90 Days?"
The new credit card with airline miles?

As tempting as they are, now is not the time.

Every new credit application creates a hard inquiry, and every new loan increases your monthly debt obligations. Both can affect your mortgage approval.

Wait until after closing. Your dream home comes first.

2. Don't Buy a New Car

We see this one more often than you'd think.

Many buyers assume they're safe once they're under contract. Then they decide it's the perfect time to upgrade their vehicle.

Unfortunately, that new car payment could completely change your debt-to-income ratio.

We've even seen buyers qualify for less house because of a vehicle purchase made just weeks before closing.

The car can wait.

3. Don't Change Jobs Without Talking to Your Lender

Lenders love stability.

Changing employers isn't always a problem, but switching careers, becoming self-employed, reducing your income, or moving from salary to commission can create additional underwriting questions.

Life happens. If a job change is unavoidable, let your lender and The Marlo Team know immediately so everyone can work together on the best path forward.

4. Don't Make Large Cash Deposits

Did Grandma give you money?

Selling something on Facebook Marketplace?

Found cash you've been saving?

Large deposits can raise red flags because lenders must verify where your funds came from.

If someone is helping with your down payment, or you expect to receive gift money, your lender will explain exactly how to document everything properly.

5. Don't Move Money Between Accounts

It seems harmless to transfer money between checking, savings, investment, or brokerage accounts.

To an underwriter?

That's another paper trail they have to follow.

Keeping your money where it already is makes everyone's job much easier.

6. Don't Co-sign for Anyone

Your friend needs a car.
Your child wants an apartment.
A family member asks for help.

As much as you want to say yes, co-signing makes that debt yours in the eyes of the lender.

Even if the other person makes every payment, your lender has to count that obligation when determining whether you qualify for your mortgage.

This is one favor that's worth postponing until after closing.

7. Don't Close Credit Cards

This surprises a lot of people.

Closing older credit cards can actually lower your credit score because it reduces your available credit and shortens your average credit history.

Unless your lender specifically recommends closing an account, leave everything exactly as it is.

8. Don't Miss Any Payments

This one sounds obvious, but it's incredibly important.

Continue making every payment on time—including credit cards, auto loans, student loans, and everything else.

Even one late payment can affect your credit score and trigger additional lender review.

This is not the time for financial autopilot.

9. Don't Ignore Your Lender

If your lender asks for a document...

Send it.

If they ask again...

Send it again.

Mortgage underwriting moves quickly, and many requests come with deadlines. The faster you respond, the smoother your transaction usually goes.

One of the easiest ways to avoid closing delays is simply staying responsive throughout the process.

10. Don't Make Major Purchases

We know.

You've already picked out the sectional.
The giant TV.
The washer and dryer.
The patio furniture.
The refrigerator with the fancy ice maker.

We promise they'll all still be there after closing.

Large purchases reduce your available cash and can increase your monthly debt if financed.

Here's the best order of operations:

✔ Buy the house.

✔ Get the keys.

✔ Celebrate.

✔ Then go shopping.

The Marlo Team's Golden Rule

If you're ever wondering...

"Can I do this while buying a house?"

Don't ask Google.

Ask us.

Seriously.

We've helped buyers navigate everything from unexpected job changes to family gifts, inheritance funds, and last-minute financial questions. We'd much rather answer a five-minute phone call than help fix a problem after it's happened.

Buying a home should be exciting—not stressful. Our job is to guide you through every step, keep surprises to a minimum, and help you get to closing day with confidence.

If you're thinking about buying a home in West County or anywhere in the St. Louis area, we'd love to help you build a plan that sets you up for success from day one.

Because the smoother the process, the sooner you'll be unlocking the front door to your new home.