Written for Louisiana Mortgage Handbook by Chasity Graff, Louisiana mortgage broker.
Last reviewed: 2026-06-23
Quick Answer
Before closing, avoid new debt, large purchases, unexplained deposits, missed payments, job changes, moving money around unnecessarily, and anything that changes your credit, income, assets, or debts without talking to your lender first.
Do not open or increase debt
Do not finance furniture, appliances, vehicles, boats, credit cards, or personal loans without checking first. New debt can change your debt-to-income ratio and your credit score.
Do not change jobs without a conversation
Some job changes are fine. Some are not. The details matter: same industry, pay type, salary versus commission, W-2 versus 1099, full-time versus part-time, and whether there is any gap.
Do not move money around just to make it look cleaner
Moving money can create a paper trail that has to be explained. If funds are already documented, unnecessary transfers can make things messier.
Do not deposit cash without asking
Cash deposits are hard to document for mortgage purposes. If you receive money from family, a gift, sale of property, or another source, ask how it should be handled before depositing it.
Do not assume small things do not matter
A small change may not matter on a strong file. On a tight file, it can matter a lot. The safest rule is simple: ask before you do it.
My Thought Process
I would rather answer a five-minute question before closing than spend three days fixing something after it happened. You are not bothering your lender by asking. You are protecting your closing.
Common Mistakes
- Buying furniture on credit before closing.
- Co-signing for someone else.
- Paying off debt without checking how it affects cash.
- Depositing cash gifts incorrectly.
- Changing jobs and mentioning it after the fact.
- Letting insurance or tax estimates wait until the last minute.
Bottom Line
Keep everything steady until the loan funds. If something financial needs to happen, ask first. That one habit can save the whole closing from unnecessary drama.
Related Questions
- What Can Change My Preapproval?
- Why Do Lenders Need Bank Statements?
- Can My Parents Gift My Down Payment?
- What Is Clear to Close?
Educational Note
Educational note: This page is meant to explain the mortgage process in plain English. It is not a loan approval, commitment to lend, rate quote, or legal/tax advice. Mortgage programs, pricing, documentation requirements, and guidelines can change. Final approval depends on credit, income, assets, property approval, underwriting, and lender guidelines.