Arizona buyer question
What should I not do between contract and closing?
Once your offer is accepted, the lender re-checks a lot before closing day. Here's what to avoid, why it matters, and what to do instead.
Two ways to start
- Search homes by payment
Create your free account to see all homes for sale that fit the monthly payment you're comfortable with, each with its actual property taxes, HOA dues, estimated homeowners insurance, and mortgage insurance when it applies, plus its own estimated closing costs and APR disclosure.
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- Get pre-qualified (Apply now) (opens in a new tab)
Get pre-qualified with Pam Messina at Rebel Rate Mortgage. Once you're pre-qualified, Pam can update the maximum monthly payment and total funds to close in your home search, so the homes you see match what you qualify for. If you'd like, she can also give you a free, no-obligation introduction to a real estate professional so you can start touring homes.
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Applications are handled by Pam Messina, NMLS #245626, Rebel Rate Mortgage, Inc. (NMLS #2571369).
The short answer
Quick answer: Between contract and closing, avoid anything that changes the picture your lender reviewed or the deadlines in your contract. Don't apply for new credit, change jobs without telling your lender, move money without records, miss Arizona contract deadlines, or wire funds on emailed instructions without calling a verified number first.
Source: Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, credit checks and submitting documents; Fannie Mae, verbal verification of employment (retrieved October 20, 2026). Last updated .
The short list
| Avoid this | Why it matters | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Apply for new credit (cards, car loans, store financing) | Each application adds a credit inquiry that can lower your scores; the CFPB suggests avoiding other credit applications during the mortgage process. | CFPB |
| Change jobs or how you're paid without telling your lender | For conventional loans, Fannie Mae requires the lender to re-verify employment within 10 business days before the note date. | Fannie Mae Selling Guide |
| Move money around without a paper trail | Lenders generally must verify the source of your down payment funds, and large deposits need documents. | CFPB |
| Let a lender request sit | Your lender must fund into escrow before the close of escrow date, so slow documents can push the closing. | ADRE Buyer Advisory; CFPB |
| Switch loan programs or lenders quietly | On the standard Arizona resale contract, you must tell the seller right away about a change in loan program, financing terms or lender. | Arizona REALTORS® contract |
| Miss a contract deadline | The inspection period (10 days by default), the Loan Status Update (within 10 days) and the appraisal window all run on the calendar. | Arizona REALTORS® contract |
| Wire money on emailed instructions | Call the escrow officer at a number you already verified before sending any funds. | ADRE Buyer Advisory |
| Let homeowners insurance slide | The standard Arizona deed of trust requires insurance the lender specifies, and you'll shop for it during closing. | Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac Form 3003; CFPB |
Sources are listed at the bottom of this page. Every lender and loan program has its own rules, so ask your loan officer before any change.
Why does new credit matter after I'm under contract?
The CFPB explains that a lender's credit check shows up as an inquiry, which typically has a small negative effect on your scores. Applying for a credit card, car loan or other loan adds another inquiry, so the CFPB suggests avoiding those applications right before getting a mortgage or during the process. A new monthly payment can also change your debt-to-income ratio. If something truly can't wait, tell your loan officer first.
Why does my job matter right up to closing?
Lenders don't stop at the application. For conventional loans sold to Fannie Mae, the lender must verify your employment no more than 10 business days before the note date (Fannie Mae Selling Guide B3-3.1-04). A new job, a move from salary to commission, or a gap in work can change what the lender can count. Tell your loan officer as soon as you know about a change.
What about moving money between accounts?
The CFPB says lenders are generally required to verify the source of your income and down payment funds, and that it's common to need records for large deposits, including transfers between your own accounts. Keep statements for every account, include all pages, and get a signed gift letter if family is helping. Ask whether your loan allows gift funds before the money moves.
Create your free account to see all homes for sale that fit the monthly payment you're comfortable with, each with its actual property taxes, HOA dues, estimated homeowners insurance, and mortgage insurance when it applies, plus its own estimated closing costs and APR disclosure.
Opens a third-party home search site. Payments shown there are estimates to help you search, not a loan offer or rate quote. Your actual payment depends on price, down payment, credit, taxes, insurance, HOA, and loan program.
Which Arizona deadlines can I not miss?
- Inspection period. On the Arizona REALTORS® resale contract it's 10 days after acceptance unless the contract says otherwise. Inspections and your Buyer's Inspection Notice happen inside that window. See appraisal vs. home inspection.
- Loan Status Update. Within 10 days after acceptance, you deliver an AAR Loan Status Update from your lender. See prequalification vs. preapproval.
- Appraisal. If the value comes in low, you have five days after notice to cancel under the appraisal contingency. See low appraisal in Arizona.
- HOA and seller disclosures. Read the SPDS and HOA resale disclosure as they arrive. See the SPDS and HOA fees at closing.
Your signed contract controls, and counteroffers can change these dates.
What should I do instead?
- Answer lender requests quickly, send complete copies and keep the originals (CFPB).
- Keep paying every bill on time, including rent.
- Shop for homeowners insurance early; the lender sets the coverage it requires.
- Get your escrow officer's phone number from a trusted source before any money moves. See avoiding wire fraud.
- Review your Closing Disclosure: by law you get it three business days before closing. Compare it with your Loan Estimate.
- Ask your loan officer before any big purchase, job change or account change.
Keep the monthly payment where you planned it
The surest way to avoid last-minute stress is to choose a home whose full payment already fits your monthly budget, with its own taxes, HOA dues and insurance counted from the start.
A free account shows every home for sale that fits the monthly payment you're comfortable with, each with its real property taxes, HOA dues, estimated homeowners insurance, and mortgage insurance when it applies, plus its own closing cost estimate and APR disclosure.
Searching is free, and we never sell your information or pass it to other lenders or marketers. Only Rebel Rate Mortgage, Inc. contacts you, and only about your own search.
Related: how long closing takes · earnest money · Loan Estimate · property tax due dates · more questions.
General information, not a loan offer, approval, or commitment to lend. Your lender's requirements and your purchase contract control.
What clients say about Rebel Rate Mortgage
Review mentions Pam Messina, NMLS #245626
… Working with Rebel Rate Mortgage proved to be exactly the partnership we needed on our most recent transaction. The situation was complex, constantly evolving, and emotionally charged with unexpected twists and turns. …
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Review mentions Pam Messina, NMLS #245626
I was referred to Pam via my realtor to do a simple refinance. Pam was great from day 1, great communication and aligning to what I wanted to accomplish. We waited patiently and then locked in a great rate coupled with a super fast closing. …
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Rebel Rate definitely made the experience super easy and took the stress out of buying a home and hunting for a mortgage. I highly recommend them to anyone in the Phoenix area!
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Ready to see what fits your monthly budget?
Search Arizona homes with each home's property taxes, HOA dues, and insurance built into the estimated payment. We never sell your information or pass it to other lenders or marketers. Only Rebel Rate Mortgage, Inc. contacts you.
Create your free account to see all homes for sale that fit the monthly payment you're comfortable with, each with its actual property taxes, HOA dues, estimated homeowners insurance, and mortgage insurance when it applies, plus its own estimated closing costs and APR disclosure.
Opens a third-party home search site. Payments shown there are estimates to help you search, not a loan offer or rate quote. Your actual payment depends on price, down payment, credit, taxes, insurance, HOA, and loan program.
Prefer to talk it through? Pam Messina, NMLS #245626
Call office 602-740-9664Call Pam 602-460-4879Text PamEmail Pam
More Arizona home buyer questions · Calculators · Homes by monthly budget · All Arizona cities
Sources
- Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, What happens when a mortgage lender checks my credit? (last reviewed Aug 28, 2026; retrieved October 20, 2026)
- Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, Submit documents and answer requests from the lender (page last modified Dec. 12, 2024; retrieved October 20, 2026)
- Fannie Mae Selling Guide, B3-3.1-04 Verbal Verification of Employment (10/07/2026) (retrieved October 20, 2026)
- Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, Review documents before closing (retrieved October 20, 2026)
- Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, Closing on your new home (page last modified Nov. 3, 2025; retrieved October 20, 2026)
- Arizona REALTORS®, Residential Resale Real Estate Purchase Contract (February 2026 sample) (Pre-Qualification Form, Loan Status Update, loan and appraisal contingencies; clause text checked October 15, 2026)
- Arizona Department of Real Estate and Arizona REALTORS®, Buyer Advisory (updated January 2025)
- Fannie Mae, Legal Documents: Arizona Deed of Trust, Form 3003 (Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac Uniform Instrument), Sections 5 and 6 (standard form, July 2021 edition; retrieved October 20, 2026)
Frequently asked questions
What should I not do between contract and closing?
Don't apply for new credit, change jobs or pay structure without telling your lender, move money without records, miss contract deadlines, or wire funds on emailed instructions. Ask your loan officer before any big financial change.
Can I buy furniture before closing?
Paying cash from money that isn't needed for closing is different from financing it. New credit adds an inquiry and possibly a monthly payment, so ask your loan officer before you buy anything on credit.
Will my lender check my job again before closing?
Often, yes. For conventional loans, Fannie Mae requires the lender to verify employment no more than 10 business days before the note date.
Can I change jobs while buying a house?
Talk to your loan officer before you accept a change. A new employer, pay type or start date can change what income the lender can count.
Why does my lender ask about deposits?
The CFPB says lenders are generally required to verify the source of your income and down payment funds, so large deposits and transfers need records.