Every word of the film, for reading instead of watching.
From the day you apply to the day you get keys, your file is being watched — your credit, your bank accounts, your job. Underwriters re verify right up to closing. So for those few weeks: ten commandments. Break one, and best case we're writing explanation letters.
Worst case, the deal dies. One. Don't change jobs. Your income was approved as is — a new job, even a better one, reopens the file.
Two. Don't buy a car. The new payment changes your debt to income, and debt to income is the whole ballgame. Three.
Don't open new credit. Not a card, not twelve months same as cash on a couch. New accounts drop your score and add debt. Four.
Don't close old credit either. Closing accounts shortens your history and spikes your utilization — your score falls right when you need it standing still. Five. No big deposits without a paper trail.
Anything large that isn't payroll needs a documented source. Mattress cash doesn't count. Six. Don't shuffle money between accounts.
Every transfer becomes a letter you have to write. One account. Still water. Seven.
Don't co sign for anyone. Their loan counts as your debt in the math — even if you never pay a cent of it. Eight. Don't let anyone pull your credit.
Every hard inquiry gets questioned, and enough of them move your score. Nine. Don't miss a payment on anything. One thirty day late mid process is the fastest way to lose an approval.
Ten. Don't touch your closing money. Your down payment and costs were verified — that money has to still be there at the table. Ten commandments, one principle: the person who got approved has to be the same person who shows up at closing.
Same job, same debts, same money. Freeze the picture. Get the keys. Then buy the couch.