Purchasing a home can be an exciting time, and as you begin to put the wheels in motion for starting your home search, there are elements to the prepurchase process that you will want to consider. As lenders scrutinize your finances and purchase habits, they will determine if you’ll be able to repay your loan. Use the following tips to help ensure you make it to the closing table without delay.

1. Don’t increase your debt-to-income ratio

Do not open any new credit cards, rack up more debt on your current credit cards, or take out a line of credit or short-term loan. This can affect your debt-to-income ratio which may impact your ability to obtain mortgage approval.

2. Don’t close credit cards

Closing credit cards can hurt your credit. Even if you have zero balances on your cards, keep them active to continue building your credit history and to show the lender you have available credit and are credit-worthy.

3. Don’t make any large purchases

One of the most important things you can do during the homebuying process is to avoid accumulating additional debt. Lenders look at your expenditures until the day of closing; therefore, any large purchases could impact your ability to qualify for a mortgage commitment.

4. Don’t make large cash deposits

Fannie Mae requires lenders to adhere to certain guidelines for large cash deposits. If you deposit more than 50 percent of your total monthly qualifying income for a loan, chances are your lender will require you to supply full documentation explaining how the money was obtained.

5. Don’t change jobs

If you’re considering a career change, try to wait until after closing. Your lender typically requires at least one full month of pay stubs. Changing jobs too close to the purchase of your home may postpone your closing date.

6. Don’t cosign on a loan

Unless it is unavoidable, do not cosign on any loan until your home purchase is complete. It will trigger a hard credit inquiry and could affect your debt-to-income ratio, putting your loan approval at risk.

7. Don’t switch banks

Lenders investigate your banking history during the loan approval process. Avoid switching banks if possible, as this may delay your closing.

8. Don’t give false information

Honesty is the best policy. Do not overstate your income or under-report your debt. Lenders do not leave any stone unturned when doing their due diligence, so be honest and communicate your financial concerns with them—they might be able to help.

9. Don’t ignore lender requests

If the lender has requested any kind of information from you, always respond to them as soon as possible. Any delays in your response may postpone your closing.

10. Avoid debt consolidation

Applying for debt consolidation shows up as a hard credit inquiry on your credit report, which can temporarily hurt your credit. So when applying for a loan, check with your lender first before you start the consolidation process.

11. Avoid hard credit inquiries

If you’re thinking about purchasing a large item, such as a car, furniture, expensive electronics, or anything else requiring that requires a credit check, postpone these purchases until after closing. The inquiry will still appear on your credit report even if you have not yet purchased the item.

12. Stay current on recurring debt payments

Do your best to make credit card and debt payments on time. Late payments will show up on your credit report, which may result in a possible loan denial or affect your mortgage interest rate.

13. Check your credit report monthly

Credit reporting companies like Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion offer monthly credit monitoring which will alert you to any suspicious activity. In addition, if there is information you don’t recognize or believe is not a valid mark on your score, contact the creditor as soon as possible. Also, you can increase your credit by addressing any dings on the report.

14. Set up a budget

Save as much money as possible by setting up a monthly budget ideally before you begin the homebuying process. The more cash you have in your bank account, the more favorable you’ll look to the mortgage company.

15. Have proper representation

Whether you’re working with a real estate agent, an attorney, or both, having proper representation can help alleviate potential issues at the closing table.

Once the contract of sale has been signed, sealed, and delivered, it can seem like a lifetime until you finally get to the closing table. But from the time you apply for a mortgage to the closing on your new home, you will need to pay extra attention to your spending habits and avoid any significant changes to your personal or financial life; during this period of due diligence, lenders will look for any discrepancies, red flags, or any major shift in your submitted documentation. Always be as transparent as possible, limit your spending, and avoid incurring any additional debt. Also, seek the advice of your real estate professional and/or attorney to prevent closing day delays.