Credit Prep

Your credit score is a lot like your skincare routine: it relies on consistency, time, and not doing anything crazy the night before a big event. If we are getting ready to buy, we need to get your credit camera-ready.

Freeze the Spending Once we start the process, pretend your credit cards are frozen in a block of ice. Do not buy furniture for the new house before you own the new house. Do not co-sign for your cousin’s car. Do not open a store card to save 15% on sweater.

Don't Close Old Accounts This sounds backward, but closing that credit card you’ve had since college can actually hurt your "credit age" and drop your score. Keep it open, buy a pack of gum on it once a month, and pay it off.

No Big Deposits Lenders get suspicious when large sums of cash suddenly appear in your account. It looks like "mattress money." If grandma is gifting you down payment money, there is a specific way to do it. Call me first!