That new sofa or car could cost you your house — seriously

This is one of the most common — and devastating — mistakes buyers make.
And unfortunately, most don’t find out how serious it is until it’s too late.

Let’s say you’re under contract. You found your dream home. You’re excited.
You start planning where the furniture will go. Maybe you even think:

“Wouldn’t it be great to have it all delivered the day we move in?”

So you head to the furniture store… or car dealership… or start clicking “buy now” online.

Stop. Right. There.

Don’t Buy Anything on Credit Once You’re Under Contract

We can’t stress this enough:

Once you’re under contract, do not make any major purchases.
Don’t finance furniture, appliances, a car, or even a new refrigerator.
Don’t open new credit cards. Don’t co-sign for anyone. Don’t touch your credit.

It doesn’t matter if it seems like a small amount.
If it affects your credit, it could kill your loan.

Why This Happens (and How Fast)

When your lender approved you for a mortgage, they calculated:

• Your income
• Your monthly debts
• Your credit score and history

Everything was carefully balanced so your debt-to-income ratio fell within the acceptable range.

But if you add a new car loan, credit card balance, or any kind of financing before closing, your ratios change — and suddenly, you may no longer qualify for the loan.

And here’s the kicker:

Lenders pull your credit again right before they fund the loan — usually the same day.

So if that new $3,000 furniture purchase hits your report right before closing, the lender might stop the process immediately.
No funding = no closing = no house.

Real-Life Example (We’ve Seen It Happen)

A couple goes under contract. They’re thrilled. They’re approved.
Excited to start their new life, they go out and finance:

• Blinds
• A new sofa
• Bedroom sets
• Maybe even a washer and dryer

They plan the delivery for move-in day — but just before closing, the lender pulls credit one last time.
New debt shows up.
Now, their debt-to-income ratio is too high.
The lender denies the loan.

The deal falls through.
They lose the house.
And they’re stuck with new furniture — and no place to put it.

House Karma’s Advice

Once you’re serious about buying a home — even before you start looking — do this:

✅ Put credit cards away
✅ Avoid new loans of any kind
✅ Don’t co-sign for anyone
✅ Pay everything on time
✅ Keep all spending minimal and stable

Think of it like this:

You’re applying for a job… and the loan is your paycheck.
You don’t want anything to change between the interview and your first day.

Bottom Line

Until you’ve closed and have the keys in hand — don’t buy anything.

No furniture. No cars. No big purchases.
Even if it seems harmless, it could trigger a credit update and disqualify your loan.

You’ll have plenty of time to furnish and upgrade your home later — after it’s truly yours.

At House Karma, we’ll guide you through all the do’s and don’ts during the process — so you never have to find out the hard way.

We want you in that house, not looking at it from the driveway with a truck full of furniture and nowhere to go.

Let’s play it smart, keep things steady, and make sure you close without surprises.