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Why avoiding mistakes matters

In the weeks and months leading up to a home purchase, every financial decision you make can either strengthen or weaken your mortgage application. Experts interviewed by The Mortgage Reports stress that buyers often sabotage themselves by taking on new debt, maxing out credit cards, changing jobs or making big purchases before closing【935696521412302†L185-L207】. These moves can push your debt‑to‑income ratio too high or tank your credit score, causing lenders to deny your loan at the last minute. To protect your approval, keep your finances stable, avoid large credit changes and follow the seven don’ts outlined below.