Word to the Wise Prospective Homebuyer: Hold Off on Major Purchases Until after You Close on Your Home

Time and time again, it happens.

Someone, whether it’s a single person or a married couple, will find the house of their dreams. The perfect three-bedroom, twobath bungalow, with hardwood floors, a shiny updated kitchen and room for a workbench in the garage.

An offer is made, the offer is accepted and a closing date is set. An applicant is made and discussions take place with a loan officer, who assures that an approval for a mortgage on the dream home.

Then all common sense flies out the window. Two weeks before the scheduled close date on the house, a new car is purchased, or a new riding lawn mower and new leather sofa and loveseat. As if all that weren’t enough, one of the borrowers quits their job and begins work for another company.

Then they seem surprised when the loan officer calls to tell them a final credit check performed three days before closing has uncovered the tracks of their $17,000 spending spree. And because of it, the loan officer tells them, they no longer qualify for the home loan. And sometimes … it doesn’t even take that amount of money to make a difference in the loan qualification.

A sad story, and one that happens all too frequently.

If there’s one piece of advice I’d give to prospective buyers, it’s to HOLD OFF ON ANY UNNECESSARY PURCHASES UNTIL AFTER YOU CLOSE ON YOUR HOME. If something arises that is a necessity, please call your loan office and discuss it all first.

Most mortgage lenders use strict ratios of debt to gross income when they decide whether to award a mortgage loan. So, if you’re thinking of buying a home anytime in the next year or so, try to pay off your credit cards and stay out of the car, furniture, appliance and decorating showrooms, at least for now. And save your money.

Trust me: you’ll still be able to find ways to spend it, AFTER you’re inside your new home.

For more information about qualifying for a home loan, call a member of the Lorain County Association of REALTORS®. They’ll be happy to help put you in touch with a lender who will help you budget for your new home, and when you’re ready, happy to help you find it.

Today’s sellers and buyers have a lot of choices when it comes to REALTOR® representation, whether full-service or limited service. Make sure that expectations regarding level of service, communication and representation are agreed upon before selecting a REALTOR®, a member of the Lorain County Association of REALTORS®. Members of the Lorain County Association of REALTORS® care about the community in which they live, work and support.

REALTORS® support plans to help America’s housing market and homeowners. Improving access to simple, low-cost refinancing and streamlining the process will help hardworking families who have stayed current on their mortgage payments and will go a long way to helping keep more families in their homes. REALTORS® also support the renovation of homes in order to sell to owner-occupants.

Do your research and take advantage of the many housing opportunities right here in Lorain County and Northeast Ohio. We are fortunate to live in a region with such vast offerings. From big to small, country to city... it’s available here! Our proximity to highway and freeway access provides great commute options both east and west! Contact your LoCAR REALTOR® member today.

The National Association of REALTORS® is known as “The Voice of Real Estate.” NAR members are outspoken consumer advocates actively engaged in all elements of the residential and commercial real estate industries. REALTORS® support the American Dream of homeownership while working to create stronger, more vibrant communities in which to live and work.

As an organization, NAR is leading the drive for home ownership in many ways. NAR encourages all REALTORS® to become aggressive advocates for successful housing opportunities for families and businesses throughout the U.S. Remember, Home Ownership Matters. Members of the Lorain County Association of REALTORS® care about the community in which they live, work and support.

The Lorain County Association of REALTORS® is one of more than 1,200 local boards and associations of REALTORS® nationwide that comprise the National Association of REALTORS®. The National Association of REALTORS®, “The Voice for Real Estate,” is America’s largest trade association, representing nearly one million members involved in all aspects of the residential and commercial real estate industries.

REALTOR® is a registered collective membership mark which may be used only by real estate professionals who are members of the National Association of REALTORS® and subscribe to its strict Code of Ethics. Not all real estate sales agents are REALTORS®. All REALTORS® are members of NAR along with their State and Local Association.