Can You Spot The Homebuyer's Mistake?

What will happen to Tom's credit score?

Correct!

Tom was smart to transfer the higher credit card balance to one with a lower rate. However, he erred when he CLOSED the established account. "Average Age of Credit" makes up 15% of your overall score. Closing an old account and opening a brand new one delivered a "double whammy" to the average age of Tom's credit and dinged his score.

So, the lesson here is important - if you're ever faced with a similar decision, even if you pay a credit card off in full, it is recommended that you do not close the account.

Next Step

Get Pre-Approved

Getting pre-approved is the first step in buying a home. By getting pre-approved, you can:

  • Focus on your home search, knowing your financing is in Poli’s expert hands.
  • Find out exactly what home price you qualify for and shop with comfort
  • Improve your chances for homebuying success, since sellers heavily favor offers with pre-approvals from reputable lenders.

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Poli Mortgage Group is a Division of radius financial group inc. Corporate NMLS #1846. radius financial group inc. is an Equal Housing Lender. Poli Mortgage Group is licensed in CT, DC, FL, ME, MD, MA, NH, PA and RI. For more licensing information please visit: https://polimortgage.com/licenses/ or by visiting www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org. Some products and services may not be available in all states. Credit and collateral are subject to approval. Terms and conditions apply. Programs rates, terms and conditions are subject to change and are subject to borrower qualification. This is not a commitment to lend. The content in this website has not been approved, reviewed, sponsored or endorsed by any department or government agency.

* This radius Pre-Approval/Credit Commitment Promise Contract ("Promise") is made and entered into, as of the date of the last signature below, by and between radius financial group inc. ("radius" or "Lender"), and the below-named Buyer and Seller. In consideration of Seller's reliance on this Promise in entering into a real estate purchase transaction with Buyer, the Parties agree as follows:

PROMISE TO SELLER. In the event that a Seller is induced to accept an offer from, and enter into a purchase and sale agreement with, a radius borrower on account of this Promise in connection either with (a) a radius Pre-Approval or (b) a radius Credit Commitment and the Buyer is unable to close on such Eligible Transaction due to a mistake made by radius (with accurate and up-to-date information) on such Pre-Approval/Credit Commitment (a "Bad Pre-Approval"), then radius shall pay Seller ten thousand dollars ($10,000), subject to the terms and conditions herein as Seller's sole remedy.

PROMISE TO BUYER. In the event that radius issues a Bad Pre-Approval to Buyer on an Eligible Transaction, radius will reimburse Buyer reliance expenses up to one thousand dollars ($1,000) for a home inspection, appraisal, or legal expenses actually paid out-of-pocket by Buyer, subject to the terms and conditions herein. This payment shall be Buyer's sole remedy.

ELIGIBLE TRANSACTION. For purposes of this Promise, an "Eligible Transaction" is a purchase money mortgage transaction for a primary residence (made on or after April 1, 2018) (not made to a radius employee or immediate family member), provided that the loan is a Conventional, USDA, VA, or FHA loan product for either (i) an existing home resale or (ii) a newly constructed home that is to be delivered and closed within ninety (90) days of the P&S.

CONDITIONS. The applicable radius Pre-Approval must not have expired prior to the date of the P&S. Offers/P&Ss cancelled due to home inspection issues or title defects are not covered under this Promise, and this Promise is void if a Bad Pre­Approval is the result of: (i) a change in Buyer's financial position, (ii) property specific requirements or expenses (e.g. homeowner's association dues/fees, flood insurance, or property taxes), or (iii) loan product availability or underwriting requirements, or third-party actions outside of radius' control.

FUNDS DISBURSEMENT. Any funds due and payable under this Promise will be paid if requested by Buyer or Seller in writing within 90 days of the date of an applicable Adverse Action Notice and accompanied by a fully-executed copy of this Promise. Any payments made under this Promise will be reported to the Internal Revenue Service by radius on a Form 1099-MISC or as otherwise required by then-applicable law. Please consult your tax advisor for any tax implications.