Stop right there! I'm glad you asked this question because it's a trap that catches buyers all the time, especially when they're excited about furnishing their new home in Fort Mill or getting a new car to match their upgraded lifestyle in Waxhaw. Here's the deal: lenders recheck your credit and finances right before closing. If you finance a living room set, buy a car, or even open a new credit card, it can change your debt-to-income ratio and potentially kill your loan approval. I've seen buyers lose their dream homes in Ballantyne just days before closing because they couldn't resist financing some furniture or appliances

Even paying cash for big purchases can be problematic if it depletes your bank accounts below what the lender requires for closing and reserves. They want to see that you have the cash to close plus some cushion for emergencies. If you drain your accounts buying a car, they might get nervous about your ability to handle homeownership expenses. My advice? Wait until after you have the keys to your new home in Indian Land, Weddington, or wherever you're buying. I know it's tempting when you see a great deal on that sectional sofa that would look perfect in your new Marvin living room, but resist the urge

Once you've closed, you can buy whatever you want. But until then, don't do anything that changes your financial picture. This includes applying for new credit cards, making large cash purchases, or even moving large sums of money between accounts without checking with your lender first. Better safe than sorry when it comes to protecting your Charlotte metro home purchase.