Special offer

10 Commandments for Home Buyers

By
Real Estate Sales Representative with Capstone Washington Real Estate, LLC

1. Thou shalt not change jobs, become self-employed or quit your job. Longer employment time shows stability and a reduced likelyhood of default.

2. Thou shalt not buy a car, truck or van (or you may be

living in it)! This will increase your debt to income ratio.

3. Thou shalt not use charge cards excessively or let your

accounts fall behind. This shows poor money management and an increased risk of default.

4. Thou shalt not spend money you have set aside for closing. It costs money to borrow money - make sure you have enough.

5. Thou shalt not omit debts or liabilities from your loan

application. This is tantamount to fraud - never a good thing!

6. Thou shalt not buy furniture or other big ticket item on credit. Like buying a car, this increases your debt to income ratio.

7, Thou shalt not originate any inquiries into your credit. The algorhythm is a secret but you'll get dinged a few points for most inquiries.

8. Thou shalt not make large deposits without first checking

with your loan officer. Money needs to "season" in your bank account, typically for 60 or more days.

9. Thou shalt not change bank accounts. A strong banking history, like a strong employment history, shows stability.

10. Thou shalt not co-sign a loan for anyone. Like buying cars or furniture, this increases your debt to income ratio.

The S&B Real Estate Team assists people in buying and selling real estate throughout Southwest Washington. We are proud members of Keller Williams Realty - Premier Partners in downtown Vancouver. Our local expertise covers: Vancouver, Battle Ground, Camas, Washougal, Brush Prairie, Hockinson, Ridgefield, Woodland and La Center. If you or someone you know is considering living or investing in Clark County, please contact us. Jamie Carroll can be reached at 360-609-6775 or via the "Contact Us" page at www.MyRealtorIsJamie.com. Steve Borwieck can be reached at 360-241-7305 or via the "Contact Us" page at www.sbreteam.com.  We are here to help!

Posted by

The S&B Real Estate Team assists people in buying and selling real estate throughout Southwest Washington. We are proud members of Premiere Property Group, LLC in downtown Vancouver. Our local expertise covers: Vancouver, Battle Ground, Camas, Washougal, Brush Prairie, Hockinson, Ridgefield, Woodland and La Center. If you or someone you know is considering living or investing in Clark County, please contact us. Steve Borwieck can be reached at 360-241-7305. Or drop us a note on the “Contact Us” page at www.ppgwashington.com. We are here to help!

Comments (13)

Diego A. Perez
Connecticut Lawn Painting - Wilton, CT

Rules to live by, thanks.

Jun 12, 2009 08:16 PM
Tom Boos
Sine & Monaghan Realtors, Real Living - Grosse Pointe Farms, MI
Providing the very best of service to Sellers and

You're a regular "Moses".  Thanks for a great post.

Jun 13, 2009 02:13 AM
Kate Seif-Earlston
Realty World Booth and Deutsch - Danville, PA

This is great information to keep in mind...will share with buyers. Thanks!

Jun 17, 2009 02:30 PM
Anthony Stokes-Pereira
Better Homes and Gardens Rand Realty - Nanuet, NY
Realtor

Hi Jamie;

I love your post, I must say those are very important rules. Good Luck!

Jun 22, 2009 02:22 PM
Ann Logan
RE/MAX Achievers - Westerville, OH

Great post, thanks for sharing!

Best wishes to you in 2009!

Joyce Logan, Realtor Westerville, Ohio

Real Living HER Realtors, Ohio

Jun 28, 2009 08:20 AM
Michael J. Perry
KW Elite - Lancaster, PA
Lancaster, PA Relo Specialist

These are great. I'll use em !

Jul 29, 2009 04:32 AM
Will Nesbitt
Nesbitt Realty at Condo Alexandria - Alexandria, VA
Nesbitt Realty is a family-run brokerage.

Great post! I only wish I could reblog this baby! ;^)

Aug 22, 2009 11:27 PM
S&B Real Estate Team
Capstone Washington Real Estate, LLC - Vancouver, WA

Feel free to re-blog! There should be no restriction. However, I have noticed that when I use Exlporer the re-blog button doesn't show up but when I use Firefox it does! Don't know why... maybe I should ask Bill Gates ;-)

Aug 23, 2009 02:26 AM
Barbara Altieri
Better Homes and Gardens RE Shore and Country Properties - Shelton, CT
REALTOR-Fairfield County CT Homes/Condos For Sale

Jamie -- I love this. I'd like to re=blog too. Guess I have to get that Firefox installed.  Thanks!

Sep 02, 2009 01:42 PM
Richard Green
U.S. Cybertek, Inc. - Houston, MO

This is a great post.  Its really helpful know these things.

Sep 09, 2009 08:09 AM
Wendy Rich-Soto, Realtor/Broker Associate
Keller Williams Realty, LA Harbor - San Pedro, CA
Getting you to your next with a zero failure rate!

Oh yes!  Thank you so much for this post!!!  Buyers...listen up!!  :-)

Dec 12, 2009 05:51 PM
Blatt + Cutino
Coldwell Banker Realty - Monterey, CA
Broker-Associate 831/206-8070*Call today*

Nice to see these all written down. I do tell my clients to make sure not to do these things. Once I had a buyer go buy a new car right before buying his first home..I was shocked!

Jan 10, 2010 02:32 PM
Kerry Lucasse
eXp Realty - Urban Nest Real Estate Group - Atlanta, GA
Your Urban Nest Atlanta Real Estate Consultant

I have this in my buyer presentation!  A few years ago I had a buyer who ordered custom upholstered furniture after we were under contract and she almost lost her dream home.

Aug 29, 2010 05:37 PM