4 Things You Absolutely Should Not Do After You Apply for a Mortgage

If you have a good credit history and are prepared to invest in a home, you may be feeling pretty confident about the mortgage process. However, it’s important to be aware that there are things that can have a negative impact on your application. Whether you’ve just submitted your documents or are getting close to it, here are some things you may want to avoid.

Acquiring New Credit

It may seem silly that something as minor as a new credit card can be a mark against your credit, but applying for new ones can be a bad sign to lenders. The problem is that this can be signal an unmanageable debt load, so you may be considered a high risk for not being able to make your payments.

Forget To Pay Your Bills

It’s easy enough to get lulled into the feeling that your mortgage application will be approved, but this doesn’t mean that you should forget your financial responsibilities. If you’ve had poor credit in the past and neglected paying your bills on time, now is not the time to do this. Instead, ensure that you’re paying all bills and any applicable minimum payments in advance of the due date so your credit score is not impacted.

Close Old Credit Cards

Many people think that closing out old credit cards can be a positive financial step forward and a good way to streamline their finances, but this can cause damage to your credit score. Because closing a credit card will change your available balance and bump up your debt load, it may mean that your debt percentage will increase. Instead of risking this, leave them active until you’ve received approval.

Quit Your Job

Few people will have the ability to quit their job when they’re applying for a mortgage, but doing this or incurring other fluctuations in your monthly income can cause problems with your application. If you are self-employed, there may be peaks and valleys in your finances, but a huge shift in what you bring home can show lenders that you’re not a solid bet.

There can be a lot of stress that comes along with the mortgage application process, but by paying your bills on time and staying on top of your payments, you can avoid negatively impacting your approval.   To start your home search, give me a call – J.P. Cook – 602-320-4253.

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12940 N Northstar Drive Fountain Hills, AZ 85268

$649,900

2 Beds

2.5 Baths

1,502 SqFt

Status Active

MLS # 6748159

Property Type Single Family Residence

Price Type --

High ceilings and plantation shutters give this 2-bedroom, 2.5 bath open-concept condo a spacious feel. You'll love the large screen porch with sun-blocking shades, patio, colorful landscaping, and beautiful view of the mountains beyond. The primary bedroom is spacious and both bedrooms feature an ensuite bath and walk-in closet. The kitchen and large laundry room/pantry provide plenty of storage. A gas fireplace separates living and dining areas. And the powder room is plus! Centrally located in the heart of Fountain Hills, The Enclave is a gated, dog-friendly community with a pool - walkable to ''everything downtown.''

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10011 E Lakeview Circle Mesa, AZ 85209

$649,900

3 Beds

2.5 Baths

2,960 SqFt

Status Active

MLS # 6754002

Property Type Single Family Residence

Price Type --

*NEED MORE SPACE? Potential 4/5 Bedroom Home Awaits you in Villages of Eastridge ! *Flex-Floor Plan Looks New! *Original Owner on Culdesac Corner Home Site! *3+4 Bedrooms* Upper Loft & Lower Level Den/Office or Potential 4th-5th Bedroom Guest Suite & Master Retreat Sitting Room! *SPARKLING PLAY POOL & LARGE YARD! *3 Car Extended Garage + Double RV Gate! *Open Country Kitchen Island Bar & Walk in Pantry Overlooks Family Rm* Faux Wood Floors Lower Level *Dual A/C Units 2 Years New* Interior Freshly Painted & Exterior Recently Painted *Large Covered Patio *Backyard Fire Pit *2 Storage Sheds Garage Cabinetry with Work Bench & Storage Shelving *EXTRA WIDE & LONG Culdesac Drive for Additional Parking! Basketball Sports Court, Parks & Playgrounds! Quick Access Fwy's 202 & I60 & Schools!

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17724 W Ocotillo Avenue Goodyear, AZ 85338

$649,900

3 Beds

3 Baths

2,718 SqFt

Status Active

MLS # 6754137

Property Type Single Family Residence

Price Type --

Experience mountain living in this beautiful, gated semi-custom TW Lewis home in Estrella Mountain Ranch. Located on a spacious corner lot just under 1/3 acre, this home is filled with luxury upgrades. The master bedroom offers an extended patio and elegant single lite door, while the master bath features a tiled snail shower. The cozy living area includes a fireplace with custom media niches, and the 3-car garage provides ample space with a service door. Enjoy energy-efficient solar shades, security doors, and a pebble stone driveway. The expansive backyard is ready for your dream pool or oasis.

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5651 W Abraham Lane Glendale, AZ 85308

$649,900

3 Beds

2 Baths

1,968 SqFt

Status Active

MLS # 6757000

Property Type Single Family Residence

Price Type --

LAKE FRONT PROPERTY in the Highly sought after Arrowhead Lakes!! Enjoy amazing AZ sunsets from your own dock! Backyard boast peace and serenity with stunning mountain and lake views!! Low maintenance yard with Extensive hardscape, artificial turf allows you more time to enjoy those gorgeous sunsets, fishing or stargazing right off your own boat dock. Recently renovated the boat dock is also low maintenance with long lasting poly wood deck. Located on a cul-de-sac street for low traffic, this 3 bedroom 2 bath, features a 3 car garage with built in cabinets and epoxy floor. Step inside to be greeted by that stunning view through the rear windows for the home. Formal living and dinning room allow for additional living space for home office, home school or large holiday gatherings. The heart of the home situated off the back of the house to maximize the lake view is an open concept with family room and breakfast nook, featuring newer stainless steel appliances, granite counters and neutral paint scheme. Spacious Owner's suite, with cathedral ceilings, yet again taking in those picturesque lake views! Owner's baths features TWO walk in closets, double sinks, large garden tub, walk in shower and private toilet room. Both bedrooms 2 & 3 have vaulted ceilings giving them a more spacious feel. All this located minutes to the 101 Fwy for easy commutes and all the shopping and entertainment the Arrowhead area allows.

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2508 E Nancy Lane Phoenix, AZ 85042

$649,900

4 Beds

2.5 Baths

2,569 SqFt

Status Active

MLS # 6757871

Property Type Single Family Residence

Price Type --

Your new dream home comes complete with a white picket fence and mountain views! Ideally located within a gated community, this north/south facing property has SO many extras! Premium lot next to a walking path to the east. Enter your private front courtyard through a wrought iron gate. Once inside, you'll love the stunning chef's kitchen with HUGE walk-in pantry, granite counters, backsplash tiles added to large island, pendant lights, R/O system and large drawers under the cooktop. Primary bath features a walk-in shower with dual shower heads, two sinks and a barn door. Other extras include tankless water heater, laundry sink, three car garage with separate one-car garage stall perfect for a workshop and a spacious backyard. This one is SPECIAL...make it yours!

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7301 E 3rd Avenue Unit 121 Scottsdale, AZ 85251

$649,900

1 Bed

1 Bath

1,023 SqFt

Status Active

MLS # 6764366

Property Type Apartment

Price Type --

Check out this industrial-style condo at Third Avenue Lofts, located in the heart of Old Town Scottsdale. This stunning upgraded condo features an open-concept layout that maximizes space and light. As you enter, you're greeted by a spacious living area with floor-to-ceiling windows that fill the room with natural light. The gourmet kitchen is a chef's dream and the open floor plan is perfect for entertaining! Amazing location: leave the spacious patio and head straight onto 3rd Avenue for the best food and nightlife. This is available for lease-purchase, not sure what that is? We can walk you through it!

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3476 E Pinto Drive Gilbert, AZ 85296

$649,900

3 Beds

2 Baths

1,702 SqFt

Status Active

MLS # 6764649

Property Type Single Family Residence

Price Type --

Discover your oasis in Lakeview Trails at Morrison Ranch! This like-new, meticulously maintained home, built in 2019, features 3 spacious bedrooms, 2 luxurious baths, a versatile den and an additional bonus space. Upgraded throughout, the home boasts beautiful wood plank tile flooring that enhances its modern charm. The heart of the home is a large, open kitchen with a massive island, perfect for gatherings and culinary adventures. Step outside to your backyard paradise, complete with low-maintenance artificial grass, a built-in BBQ, and a cozy fire table for memorable evenings. With built-in permanent LED holiday lighting, your home shines year-round. Enjoy serene lake views, multiple playgrounds for the kiddos, and walking paths throughout this welcoming community with friendly neighbors. This gem won't last long-come see it today!!

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20131 N Sonoran Court Surprise, AZ 85374

$649,900

2 Beds

2 Baths

1,909 SqFt

Status Active

MLS # 6765537

Property Type Single Family Residence

Price Type --

One Of A Kind Custom Palo Verde Updated and Expanded. This Home Site is Very Special with Views of both Hole 1 And Hole 18 & Desert Springs End Of Driving Range. Hit Practice Balls From Your Custom Pad on the Extended Private Patio. Private Walled Courtyard for Sun Sets and Sun Rises. Cul De Sac Offers a Quite Wide Open Setting in The Grand. Interior Offers Beautilful Tile Flooring Throughout. Gourmet Kitchen with Newer Cabinets, Back Splash, Electric Range, SS Range Hood, Refrigerator , Dishwasher & Composite Sink. Beautiful Granite Counter Tops and Indirect Lighting. 10K Window Replacement In Home, H2O Concepts Whole House Filtration System. Bathrooms Custom Walk In Tile Showers, Quarts Counters, Newer Vanities and lighting. Stone Work Added to Front Of Home To Elevate Design.

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3609 W Summit Walk Drive Anthem, AZ 85086

$649,900

3 Beds

2.5 Baths

2,663 SqFt

Status Active

MLS # 6768388

Property Type Single Family Residence

Price Type --

REDUCED FOR FAST SALE Best in class Majesty Model, outstanding features abound... Shows like a model. New paint and new wood look tile floor throughout. Great Kitchen with Granite Counters and Huge Island, new gas range, upgraded pullout cabinets and large pantry. From the private gated courtyard entry this home shows like a model! Main bedroom features great walk-in closet, and an upgraded bath with Separate tub and shower and his and hers vanities. This open floorplan features a huge kitchen over-looking the family room. The family room has surround sound in place. A great home office looks out on to the private gated courtyard and make this one of Anthem's best! Did I mention completely paid off solar system...

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623 W Harvard Avenue Gilbert, AZ 85233

$649,900

4 Beds

2 Baths

2,152 SqFt

Status Active

MLS # 6773584

Property Type Single Family Residence

Price Type --

SOUGHT AFTER SILVERHAWKE ORIGINAL OWNER LOVED AND CARED FOR HOME! MANY UPDATED FEATURES INCLUDE FLOORING, GORGEOUS UPSCALE KITCHEN WITH NEW APPLIANCES, GRANITE BEVELED EDGE COUNTERS, PULL OUTS AND SOFT CLOSE DOORS/DRAWERS, ROOF HAS BEEN REPLACED WITH EXTENDED WARRANTY, HVAC UPDATED 2020, POOL RESURFACED!! NOTHING TO DO BUT PERSONALIZE, JUST MOVE IN! SO MANY EXTRAS THERE IS A LIST IN THE HOUSE WHEN YOU VISIT! SILVERHAWKE IS THE BEST NEIGHBORHOOD IN NORTHWEST GILBERT WITH FREEWAY ACCESS, DOWNTOWN GILBERT, RESTAURANTS SHOPPING ALL A VERY SHORT DISTANCE... GREENBELT & PLAY EQUIPMENT RIGHT DOWN THE STREET. OUTSIDE IS PARTY YARD WITH SELF CLEANING PEBBLE SHEEN POOL WITH NEWER FILTER, GAS GRILL, LIGHT UP BAR, CEILING FANS, MATURE CITRUS,!!! DID I MENTION THE EXTENDED LENGTH GARAGE? 3 CAR GARAGE HAS PULL DOWN STAIRS TO STORAGE, STORAGE CABINETS, CUSTOM RUBBERIZED GARAGE MATS, STORAGE CEILING RACKS, LOW MAINTENACE FRONT & REAR YARD LANDSCAPE, QUALITY BUILT POST TENSION SLAB, ... WARRANTIES TO BE PROVIDED SOON FOR ROOF AND HVAC, THIS IS A WONDERFUL HOME JUST WAITING FOR YOU IN A GREAT LOCATION

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5909 E Crocus Drive Scottsdale, AZ 85254

$649,900

3 Beds

2 Baths

1,416 SqFt

Status Active Under Contract

MLS # 6702362

Property Type Single Family Residence

Price Type --

Location location location in the MAGIC 85254 zip code. This single story popular Monterey model, block constructed Crane home is located within minutes of the Kierland corridor. Features include: light/bright ceramic tile, newer roof(2023), newer AC(2020), N/S facing, low maintenance landscape, stainless steel appliances, granite countertops, partially updated baths and lighting, oversized laundry, plenty of storage, private patios and no HOA. Opportunity is knocking...welcome home!

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20305 W Peak View Road Wittmann, AZ 85361

$649,900

3 Beds

2 Baths

3,310 SqFt

Status Active Under Contract

MLS # 6712163

Property Type Single Family Residence

Price Type --

HIGHLY MOTIVATED SELLER!!! This NEWLY EXTERIOR PAINTED home has 3 bedrooms and 2 baths plus multiple office spaces that can be used as a 4th bedroom or whatever your imagination can come up with. SO MANY UPGRADES !!! Floors, Counter tops, Paint...just to name a few. Did I mention it has just over an acre of land zoned for horses and a whopping 6 car garages, 4 are attached to the home while the other 2 are ina seperate building

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