In last week’s article I discussed several of the pitfalls that Buyers encounter through the mortgage application process. Keeping your bank statements “boring” is key – avoid undocumented deposits, NSF charges and moving large sums of money around. Also avoid having your credit “pulled” – don’t take advantage of new credit card offers just to save an extra 10%. That’s the start to s smooth application process… but there’s more.
Don’t change jobs, and obviously, don’t quit your current job without inquiring about the impact this change could have on your approval/approvability of your mortgage loan. Employment stability is a big factor in the underwriting loan process. Quitting or changing jobs or even positions within the same company can potentially endanger your entire loan approval. Switching from a salaried position to a commission-based position can pose a problem with your financing. Changing from a W-2 employee to a new job where you are paid as a “1099” independent contractor will also pose a problem. There may be long waiting periods if your employment status moves from that of employee to being an independent contractor. Often lenders will want to see 1-2 years of income tax statements as an independent contractor before they will agree to provide financing.
Don’t file disputes on your credit card accounts if you anticipate applying for a mortgage in the short term. You may have a valid reason for disputing an account with a credit card company, but you should avoid filing a dispute unless you are certain that you are not planning on applying for a mortgage in the near future. Lenders will often reject financing if a borrower has a disputed account on their credit report.
Don’t forget to pay your bills on time (all bills, including the doctor and the dentist) Late payments could cause your account to be sent to collections which could take you months to reverse.
Finally, don’t pack away your financial documents. We know that you are moving and that getting a head start on packing is a must. Please don’t pack away your financial documents as your lender may need them for the processing of your mortgage loan. Please keep all financial records handy including tax returns, W-2’s, paystubs, bank statements, divorce agreements, etc….
If you’ll follow these simple steps, getting a mortgage should be easy and straightforward!