10 Must-Nots When Buying a Home in Walnut Creek

Getting your offer accepted is a big milestone, but it's not the finish line. Once you're in contract on a home in Walnut Creek or anywhere in the East Bay, what you don’t do is just as important as what you do.

I’m Brendan Moran with Five Star Real Estate, and after working with hundreds of home buyers across California, I’ve seen great deals go sideways because of preventable mistakes. So before you get too comfortable celebrating your accepted offer, here are 10 critical things to avoid during escrow.

1. Don’t Change Jobs

Stay employed with the same company until your home closes. Lenders need to verify your employment through your most recent pay stubs and job status. Becoming self-employed mid-transaction is one of the fastest ways to derail your mortgage approval.

2. Don’t Buy a Vehicle

Avoid buying or leasing a new car, truck, or van. A new auto loan can dramatically increase your debt-to-income ratio and impact your loan eligibility.

3. Don’t Open New Credit Lines

Now is not the time to open a new credit card or charge account. Doing so can reduce your credit score and trigger a red flag for lenders who are looking for financial stability.

4. Don’t Spend Your Closing Funds

If you’ve set aside funds for your down payment and closing costs, don’t touch them. Lenders will check to confirm the funds are still there before you close.

5. Don’t Leave Out Debts

Always disclose your full financial picture. Omitting debts on your loan application can create delays or, worse, cause the lender to withdraw your approval.

6. Don’t Buy Furniture Yet

It’s tempting to start shopping for that new sectional sofa or dining table, but large purchases (especially on credit) can jeopardize your loan. Wait until after you’ve closed.

7. Don’t Allow Unnecessary Credit Inquiries

Avoid having your credit pulled for anything other than insurance-related reasons. Each hard inquiry can reduce your credit score and impact your mortgage terms.

8. Don’t Make Large Deposits or Withdrawals

If you're expecting to move a large sum of money in or out of your account, talk to your lender first. Unexplained transactions can cause documentation issues and delay the process.

9. Don’t Switch Bank Accounts

Stick with your current bank and accounts until your home purchase is finalized. Lenders will be reviewing account history, and switching banks complicates that.

10. Don’t Co-Sign for Anyone

Even if it’s a close friend or family member, co-signing for someone else’s car or apartment can hurt your loan approval. Lenders will count it as a new liability.

Keep It Steady—And Close Smoothly

Buying a home in Walnut Creek or the East Bay is a major milestone. Once you're in contract, the best thing you can do is keep your finances steady and avoid any big changes. That quiet period between offer and close is where deals are either finalized—or fall apart.

If you follow these 10 must-nots, you'll be well on your way to a smooth closing day.

For more real estate tips and answers to your Walnut Creek home buying FAQs, reach out to the Ask Brendan team. We’re here to guide you from offer to keys in hand.