November 2017 by Featured Agent

November 2017

5 Tricks to throwing a

memorable networking event Top 10 Reasons

to use a

REALTORÂŽ

Ashlynn Cubbison

also featured:

Blake Plaster

contents

professionals 6

5 Tricks to throwing a memorable networking event

Bridge the gap — Strategies for working across generations

FeaturedAgentMagazine Phone888.437.5707 Fax888.849.3663 contact@featuredagentmagazine.com www.featuredagentmagazine.com 2

t featured cover agent

Ashlynn Cubbison q featured agent

Blake Plaster

buyers&sellers 4

7 Essential winter home prep projects

Top 10 Reasons to use a REALTOR®

Get your move on — Money-saving moving tips

Applying for a mortgage? Avoid these mistakes

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7 Essential

winter home prep projects

With winter on the horizon, now is the time to prepare your home for this unpredictable season. Properly preparing your home for winter will help keep you and your family comfortable, reduce heating costs and prevent structural issues that could result in costly repairs later. Most winter home prep can be completed as DIY projects. And even the ones that require professional assistance are a small investment now that can help you potentially save thousands later. Let’s get started:

Start at the top — Your home’s roof is the first line of defense against leaks and water damage. Inspect it for any loose, worn or missing shingles and have them replaced. Also look for any breaks in the flashing seals around vent stacks and chimneys. If your home has a flat roof (often found in warmer climates), use a leaf blower throughout the season to clear off leaves and other debris; this will help you detect any damaged areas. 4

Clear out gutters — Gutters are another way to protect your home from water damage, but they only work properly when they’re clean. To prevent water from backing up and causing leaks, clean out all the fall leaves and other debris that has accumulated over the past few months. This not only protects against water damage, it will also keep pests and rodents from making themselves at home in the mess. If you find any missing or damaged gutters or fascia boards, have them replaced.

Send water away — Gutters are only one part of the equation when trying to minimize the chance of water getting where it doesn’t belong. You’ll also want to make sure the water they collect gets diverted far enough away from the home’s foundation. To do that, add extensions to your downspouts. Ideally, you want the water to flow at least three feet away from the foundation to prevent the possibility of leaks and damage. Copyright Featured Agent Magazine

Winter Prep Quick Tips • Have the heating system inspected and repaired before the first cold snap • Inspect and repair roof, gutters and downspouts to prevent water damage • Reverse ceiling fan blades to circulate warm air • Find and fill any cracks around windows and doors • Have the chimney cleaned before burning a fire

Inspect the system — Have your furnace or heat pump inspected and repaired, if needed, by a professional, who will catch any current or potential issues before they leave you out in the cold. In addition to keeping you warm, a properly running heating system minimizes the risk of carbon monoxide issues and helps reduce heating costs. As the season progresses, remember to change the furnace filter monthly to ensure maximum efficiency.

Insulate hot water heater and pipes — What’s not to love about a simple project that can save money and keep you more comfortable? Wrapping your hot water heater and pipes can help reduce utility costs while maintaining a comfortable water temperature for bathing. You can hire a plumber to do the job, or take it on yourself with specially cut insulation or foam available from home improvement centers. Catch the cracks — Winter is all about keeping Copyright Featured Agent Magazine

cold air and moisture — and in warmer climates, pests — out of your home, which is why you need to find and fix any cracks around doors and windows. Inspect around window and door frames outside and if you find any gaps larger than the width of a nickel, fill them in with weather-resistant silicone caulk. Inspect all door sweeps and weather stripping and replace any that appear worn or cracked.

Sweep that chimney — A crackling fire is a cozy way to help heat your home, but before you burn the first logs of the season, you need to make sure you can do it safely. Call a chimney sweep to inspect the chimney and clean it if needed. The inspection and cleaning together should ring in at less than $500, but any amount is a small price to pay if it prevents a chimney fire and the possibility of carbon monoxide leaking into your home.

No matter the climate you live in, the winter season can be hard on your home. Taking these precautions at the start of the season will help ensure your home makes it through winter without any serious issues and you stay comfortable and cozy until spring arrives. 5

5 Tricks to throwing a

memorable networking event

While networking connects you with fellow entrepreneurs and business owners, hosting a networking event can position you as a professional leader in your area. Of course, making your event memorable requires planning and execution, and if you haven’t tried to organize an event like this before, the prospect may seem overwhelming. With that in mind, consider these techniques as you curate a networking event that’s sure to impress.

Minimize Hurdles — For your networking event to memorable, it must be well-attended. Accordingly, consider fine-tuning details that make it simpler for invitees to say yes and show up. For instance, e-invites 6

with an easy-to-follow link for event registration make signing up simple for guests, while also making it easy for you to count heads. Likewise, pick a wellknown, centrally located venue with ample parking. Consider incorporating an automated e-mail reminder close to your event date, that way guests are virtually ushered through the front door. Incorporate Local or Holidays Events — One way to attract area professionals to your networking event is to create a natural tie-in with an already occurring holiday or occasion. For instance, a viewing party for a major sporting event, a Labor Day barbecue, or a Christmas-themed meet and greet are chances to Copyright Featured Agent Magazine

Creating a hub where professionals can network with others in and outside of their field is an excellent way to grow your business, brand, and position.

Anchor Your Attendees — Though you can’t be everywhere at once, you can enlist a few close colleagues to help you meet and greet your guests. At a networking event, the last thing you want is stale conversation and attendees who refuse to mingle. That’s why anchoring your guest list with a few friends who have outgoing social skills is a surefire way to keep energy high. Jumpstart your event by planting a few people who can keep conversation flowing and make introductions between guests.

capitalize on already spirited occasions. This will add a natural ambiance of comradery and celebration between attendees, giving a sense of theme and direction to your event.

Connect Others — To ensure that your networking event delivers its aim — bringing people together from across the business community — it is your job to play host among your guests. Introduce yourself to as many people as possible and once you find commonality between different guests or groups, play matchmaker and provide an introduction. Connecting others will build energy in your event, and you’ll reap the rewards as host. Copyright Featured Agent Magazine

Keep in Touch — The whole point of a networking event is to connect like-minded professionals. In the world of real estate, knowing the agents, brokers, and lenders around town can go a long way in streamlining a transaction. Of course, to capitalize on these connections, you’ll need to find ways to stay in touch long after the event is over. Follow up the week after your event to thank guests for their attendance and offer to connect them with other attendees they might have hit it off with. You may consider touching base again a few months later in preparation for your next event, or choose a few new faces and invite them to meet up for coffee or lunch to keep the conversation going.

Creating a hub where professionals can network with others in and outside of their field is an excellent way to grow your business, brand, and position. Keep these tips in mind as you put together a memorable networking event in the future. If all goes well, you’ll have made new contacts, broadened your horizons, and created a welcome opportunity for others to do the same. 7

Bridge the gap — Strategies

for working across generations

Millennials. Gen X’ers. Boomers. You might not realize it, but there’s a good chance you will have clients from every one of these generations at some point in your career (if you haven’t already). Today’s home buyers and sellers have never been more generationally diverse. But with that generational diversity, comes the need to understand and adapt your working style and practices to best meet the needs of these clients. Check out the background of each of these generations, learn what they value the most, and get tips on how to best work with members of each generation.

Millennials

Who they are: Born from 1981-2004, Millennials currently make up the largest generation, at more than 75-million strong. 8

What they value: Millennials are driven by mobility, diversity and a thirst for authenticity. They aren’t wed to the notion of a “forever home,” or a “forever” anything, really. Often saddled with hefty student loan debt, they desire homeownership, but may be forced to delay it longer than previous generations. Millennials as clients: Millennials currently represent more than 30% of home buyers, and they are more pragmatic than you might think. They view buying a home as an investment, and fully intend to capitalize on that by buying, fixing and flipping properties. Many Millennials see home ownership as a way to improve their credit score. Tips for working with Millennials: • Don’t assume — Millennials are strongly tied to Copyright Featured Agent Magazine

Today’s home buyers and sellers have never been more generationally diverse. With that comes the need to understand and adapt your working style and practices to best meet the needs of these clients. their unique identity as individuals, so get to know them one-on-one. Don’t generalize.

• Communicate quickly — This is the generation that grew up texting. It’s their preferred way to communicate.

• Make it fun — Millennials crave new experiences and enjoy making memories. When appropriate, think outside the box and add some fun to the home buying or selling process.

Generation X

Who they are: Born from 1964-1980, Gen X’ers are sandwiched in between two, much larger generations.

What they value: Growing up as the first generation of “latch-key kids” led Gen X’ers to a fierce independence that continued into adulthood. They value contribution, feedback and, no surprise, autonomy.

Gen X’ers as clients: Given their independent nature, there’s a good chance your Gen X clients will come to you armed with research they’ve done themselves. They’ll have a strong idea about what they want, but are open to making home buying or selling a collaborative process. Keep in mind that this generation was the hardest hit by the 2008 housing crisis, and may be especially wary when it comes to making decisions.

Tips for working with Gen X’ers: • Present pros and cons — This generation possesses a natural skepticism and grew up questioning just about everything. Be prepared to share both the good and the bad news with them; don’t sugarcoat.

• Have a plan — Gen X’ers are results-oriented, and like seeing a road map for how they’re going to reach the goal.

• Don’t take it personally — Gen X’ers didn’t receive Copyright Featured Agent Magazine

a lot of praise growing up, and may be reluctant to offer it. That doesn’t mean they think you haven’t done a good job, however; they just might not know how to express it.

Baby Boomers

Who they are: The post-World War II generation born from 1946-1964, were the largest generation for decades, until they were surpassed by Millennials.

What they value: This generation saw some of the most radical political and social change in history. They tend to be adaptive, goal-oriented and conflict-averse. Baby Boomers as clients: Perhaps more than any other generation, Baby Boomers were brought up with the notion of the American Dream of home ownership. Though most are now empty nesters, they still want to own homes; but ones that will put fewer demands on their time and resources. They love walkable neighborhoods that are close to their family and friends, and look for homes that will be adaptable to their changing needs as they age. Tips for working with Baby Boomers: • Communicate their way — While many Boomers are perfectly comfortable with all aspects of current technology, not all have embraced it. Find out how your clients would prefer to communicate before firing off endless rounds of texts.

• Respect their time — Though they may be retired, it doesn’t mean their schedules are wide open. Many in this generation are involved in a lot of activities in addition to caring for elderly parents. And of course, some are still working.

• Don’t stress them out — Many in this generation prefer to avoid conflict. Present the facts, but try to soften the blow when the news isn’t good. 9

Top 10 Reasons to use a REALTOR®

With so many online real estate resources available today, it’s tempting to think you can buy or sell a home without the help of a professional. But there are lots of great reasons you should use a real estate agent. Here are our Top 10: Market Knowledge — Savvy agents stay up-to-date on everything that’s happening in their local real estate market. Objectivity — Real estate transactions are inherently emotional; an agent can help you keep things in perspective. Negotiating Skills — Having someone negotiate on your behalf is priceless. Look for an agent who has the CNE (Certified Negotiation Expert) designation for even more skill. Inside Information — Agents are often ahead of the MLS when it comes to new listings.

Emotional Support — Who can you call at 3am because you’re just not sure about the color of that bathroom tile? Your agent, of course!

Trusted Partner Network — Agents spend a lot of time building up networks of trustworthy service providers.

Professional Marketing — When it comes to listings, image is everything. An agent has access to the pros to make your house look amazing online (and IRL).

Guidance with Inspections — An agent will negotiate the most crucial fixes to help ensure a deal doesn’t get derailed by the property inspection.

Ethical Treatment — All REALTORS® must follow a strict code of ethics designed to protect their clients.

Support at Closing — Your agent will be your partner throughout the process and help you understand everything that happens at the closing (and probably take you out to celebrate after!). 10

Ashlynn Cubbison

When Ashlynn Cubbison took a job right out of high school assisting at a small brokerage, she didn’t know much about the world of real estate. Game for a challenge, Ashlynn was instantly intrigued by everything she learned. As the downturn hit, she made a transition to become a title analyst, gaining an alternate perspective on the industry she’d one day join. After moving to San Diego with her husband, she marketed herself as a notary to the area’s brokers and escrow officers — forging connections and gaining added insight along the way. Equipped with an entrepreneurial spirit and a drive to reach new heights, Ashlynn knew she was ready for more. In 2012, she earned her real estate license, and soon after, earned her broker’s license. Over the course of her decade-long industry tenure, Ashlynn has since crafted a sterling reputation defined by integrity, unflagging work ethic, and an authentic dedication to her clients.

While she primarily serves the North County region of San Diego, Ashlynn goes where her clients lead, 12

and many of her transactions are based in Riverside County or Orange County. Today, Ashlynn is at the head of a capable, tight-knit team as Broker at Sunset Properties. There, she fields clients of all kinds — from first-time homebuyers and VA clientele, to families, investors, and beyond. Overall, her professional ethos is epitomized by clear-headedness and an ability to execute transactions with precision and forthrightness. “My track record speaks for itself,” Ashlynn says. “The majority of my listings sell at or above asking price, and on average my listings go into escrow in seven days or less. I walk my clients through every step of the process. I always keep communication open, I’m honest, and I’m really authentic about who I am.” With 100% of her business generated by repeat and referral clientele, Ashlynn’s commitment to results and memorable service is self-evident. What’s more, she cites respect and diligence as the pillars of her philosophy. “Without action and hard work, success isn’t possible. But the most important thing to me is respect. Everyone Copyright Featured Agent Magazine

“The majority of my listings sell at or above asking price, and on average my listings go into escrow in seven days or less. I walk my clients through every step of the process. I always keep communication open, I’m honest, and I’m really authentic about who I am.” deserves to be treated with respect, no matter how big or small your budget is — everyone deserves the same level of service and professionalism.”

Since Ashlynn’s business is largely driven by satisfied clients, marketing is naturally woven into the fabric of her enterprise. “There’s no better way to market than by word-of-mouth,” she says. Although, Copyright Featured Agent Magazine

she explains. “I had my first child around the time I began in real estate. I had my second child as I was studying to become a broker, and while working. And now, I have a few agents working under me and my team is growing. I wouldn’t have been able to achieve any of that without my faith, my incredibly supportive husband, and my family.”

that hasn’t kept Ashlynn from putting her creative prowess to use. When California passed a measure restricting plastic bags at grocery stores, she had more than 1,000 branded reusable grocery bags distributed. “It was really fun to give people something useful while putting my name out there in the community.” The ability to think outside the box and spot opportunities as they arise, are additional ways that Ashlynn offers clients an edge. Likewise, her proactive approach inspires a sense of security in those she serves. “Moving can be a difficult time, and I keep my own stresses away from my work and stay positive. Hiccups happen, but if an issue arises, I come to my clients with solutions in hand,” she says. “Plus, I stay available at all hours of the day and I really work hard to make my clients’ goals happen.”

Of course, ambition plays a significant role in Ashlynn’s success to date. As a tried-and-true selfstarter, she carved out a professional path despite life’s inevitable challenges. “I’m proud to have become a broker before the age of 30, all while being a mom,”

Connecting to her community is of high priority to Ashlynn, and she makes an effort to stay involved in many ways, big and small. Recently, she earned the designation of Diamond Sponsor for a local pre-school and kindergarten’s jog-a-thon. She also sponsors the Murrieta Marketplace in nearby Murrieta, where a group of talented moms and budding entrepreneurs follow their passions. There, Ashlynn hosts a booth with complimentary treats and beverages, and offers her marketing assistance to businesswomen in the making. In her free hours, she enjoys spending quality time with her husband and children, and likes to unwind with a book or a run.

As for the future, Ashlynn unsurprisingly has big plans in place. “I’ve always had big goals and dreams,” she recounts. “I always want to reach the next level. I plan to expand my business, but it’s important to me to find agents that have the same work ethic as I do. Ultimately, I want to change the face of real estate and be part of altering the industry’s image.” While passion has fueled her path since the very beginning, Ashlynn never loses sight of the people at the heart of every deal. “My favorite thing about what I do is helping my clients achieve their goals,” she reflects. “It’s the most rewarding feeling to hand keys to first-time homebuyers, or a family that’s expanding, or even clients that finally were able to sell and retire and enjoy the life they’ve always wanted. Transactions can be stressful, but being the one to walk my clients through it and see their happy faces at the end of it all — it’s all so worth it.”

Ashlynn Cubbison

Sunset Properties | San Marcos, CA 858.449.8846 | Ashlynn@sunset-properties.com | www.sunset-properties.com 14

Get your move on —

Money-saving moving tips

As exciting as it is to move into a new home, the process of moving out of the old one can be costly and time-consuming. And waiting until the last minute and being unprepared will only make things worse. With the right planning and preparation, you can take some of the stress out of moving and put that energy toward being excited about your new home. Here are several ways you can save your sanity — and even some money — when moving: Plan a schedule — Moving is a huge job! But just like anything else, if you break it down into small, manageable steps, it becomes much easier. Plan a schedule beginning at least four weeks out from your moving date to ensure you leave yourself plenty of time to get everything down and account for any unexpected occurrences. Be sure to factor in time for Copyright Featured Agent Magazine

sorting, packing, holding a yard sale, cleaning and making any necessary home repairs. Set daily goals and allow yourself rewards when you meet them, such as taking a break to have a glass of wine or stream an episode of your favorite show.

Sort and sell — Moving is probably the only time to really take stock of everything you have and decide whether or not it’s still something you need or want. Go through every room in your home — including the attic, basement and garage — and take an inventory of what you find, then determine if each item is something you still need, use or love. If it doesn’t fall into any of those categories, it’s time to let it go. Sell items that are in good condition by listing them on EBay, Craig’s List, or Let Go, or simply have a blowout moving sale to get rid of everything at once. 15

For anything that doesn’t sell, call a local nonprofit and schedule a time for them to come and pick it up.

Hoard boxes — There’s no need to waste money buying brand-new moving boxes. As soon as you know you’re moving, be on the lookout for boxes you can use. Whether it’s at your office, the grocery store, or your weekly Target run, pick up as many clean, sturdy boxes as you can. Ask family and friends to save any good boxes they run across, too.

Learn to love labels — It’s easy to toss everything into boxes, seal them up, and deal with it later. But doing so will cost you time and money once you reach your new home. You will end up spending hours looking for things or just giving up and buying new versions because you can’t find what you need. By taking time on the front end to carefully pack and label boxes systematically, room-by-room, you’ll be able to quickly unpack, find everything you need, and focus on turning your new house into a home. Use what you have — Clear out your refrigerator, freezer and pantry by making meals out of the food you have. Try to get through as much as you can and if you have any non-perishable items left by moving day, donate them to a local food pantry. You don’t 16

want to spend precious time loading up boxes with canned food or have them take up valuable space on the moving truck.

Move mid-week — Sure, moving on the weekend is easier, and you don’t have to take any time off from work to do it. But, it’s also more expensive. Because everyone else wants to move on the weekend, too, you will be paying the highest rates. Moving midweek can save you money, and give you a head start on getting settled. You might even be unpacked and settled by the time the weekend rolls around.

Take a break from shopping — The last thing you need to do when you’re in the process of packing to move is bring in more things you have to pack. Take a break from shopping to focus on going through what you already have. Even after you move, hold off before shopping for new furniture and household items until you’ve lived in the space for a while. You’ll probably be surprised by how your current furniture and décor looks completely different in its new surroundings.

Planning for your move and taking the time to carefully pack and label your items will help moving day go smoothly and reduce your stress level so you can focus on the fun and enjoy setting up your new home. Copyright Featured Agent Magazine

featuredagent Blake Plaster magazine

As a proud native Houstonian, Blake Plaster grew up in a savvy real estate family. Both his parents and his grandparents invested in real estate, making incisive purchasing decisions that yielded impressive results down the line. Inspired by their vision, Blake struck out to make his own mark on the real estate industry. He’d always been drawn to homes and even as a teenager, Blake remembers the intrigue of exploring new neighborhoods and pockets of his city. As soon as he graduated college, he earned his real estate license, and the rest is history. Today, he has cultivated a blossoming career characterized by client-centric service, a passion for his industry, and an unflagging commitment to professional growth.

Blake focuses on serving the Memorial area of Houston, where he’s lived for almost 25 years. There, his knowledge and insight of the local inventory and community is that of a true insider, and he offers his clients an up-close perspective of the area’s schools and amenities. Even more impressively, he’s done business in over 15 regional zip codes in the past two years, cementing his experience of representing the greater Houston area at large. Since the beginning of his professional foray, a major contingent of Blake’s business has consisted of millennial and firsttime homebuyers. He serves as an excellent facilitator and counselor as clients make the transition from renting and leasing to purchasing property of their very own — a major milestone. “I give my clients 110% effort, from the initial meeting to the closing,” he explains. “Whether it’s 8am or midnight, I take their calls and make sure that they’re in good hands. I also provide clients with a strong referral network of resources from lenders and inspectors, to electricians and any other vendors required to renovate a home.”

In just a few years, at least 35% of Blake’s business has stemmed from repeat and referral clientele — a testament to the memorable experience he curates on behalf of his clients. Understanding that buying a home is the investment of a lifetime, Blake takes his role as an advisor seriously and always ensures that his clients are informed and well-supported. “I always make sure that my clients interests are put first, no matter the size or type of transaction,” he explains. “I’m a trusted advisor in one of the most important decisions someone will make in their lifetime. I see that as an honor and it’s something that I take very seriously as I help someone through this process.” To market listings, Blake takes a decidedly 21st century approach, incorporating various social media platforms to promote visibility among emerging demographics of homebuyers. His aggressive online marketing campaigns ensure that listed homes reach a wide audience for optimal results. Targeting certain areas, like Houston’s “The Heights” neighborhood, also attracts younger homebuyers who are entering the market and exploring their options. This forward-thinking vision sets Blake apart as a REALTOR® courting a modern breed of homeowner. His proactive interest in the industry and unflagging work ethic are among the main drivers of his success to date. “I’m never afraid to go the extra mile and I work diligently through every transaction,” he says.

Outside of the office, Blake gives back to his beloved hometown through various causes. He’s a contributor to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society and has recently pledged his time and vendor knowledge to support Hurricane Harvey recovery efforts in Houston. In his rare free hours, Blake enjoys playing guitar and is also a huge sports fan. As for what’s to come in his budding enterprise, Blake plans to continue growing year over year, bolstering his annual production and increasing his market share in Houston’s Memorial area. With several accomplished years already behind him and an undaunted eye towards the future, the road ahead is surely paved with promise for Blake Plaster.

Blake Plaster Heritage Texas Properties | Houston, TX 713.297.1256 | bplaster@heritagetexas.com | blakeplaster.heritagetexas.com Copyright Featured Agent Magazine

Applying for a mortgage? Avoid these mistakes Applying for a mortgage is exciting, because it’s the first step toward becoming a homeowner. But the process can also feel invasive, intimidating, and a little overwhelming. After all, it’s not every day that someone you don’t really know takes a deep dive into your financial life while holding your future in their hands. If you’re wondering what you can do to make the process go more smoothly, here are five things not to do when applying for a mortgage: Change Jobs — Stability is one of the most important things loan officers are looking for. Immediately before or during the mortgage approval process 18

is not the right time to switch careers, start your own business, leave a job or make the move from a salaried position to a commission-based income. Even if you’re not crazy about your current job, grin and bear it until you have completed the home buying process. Once you’re happily settled in your new home, you can start looking for a great new gig.

Open or Close Credit Cards — During the mortgage approval process, every financial decision you make is going to be under scrutiny. Opening a new credit card can appear to be a reckless move, particularly if you run it up to its limit quickly. With that Copyright Featured Agent Magazine

You need to stay the course when it comes to credit.

responsible for paying that loan back if the other party can’t (or just doesn’t want to). In fact, a recent survey shows that nearly 40% of co-signers actually end up responsible for paying back the co-signed loan. Even after your mortgage is approved, you should always think twice about co-signing; in most cases it’s just not worth the risk.

Make a Late Payment — The excitement of the home-buying process can be hectic and unpredictable, which may cause you to let other things slide. But making a late payment on a credit card (or any other) bill, can spell disaster during the mortgage approval process. Just one late payment can cause a dip in your credit score that may be alarming enough to deny you the loan. Additionally, many lenders require a 12month record of on-time payments on all accounts as one of the baseline measurements to be considered for a mortgage. To avoid overlooking paying bills during this busy time, set up everything you can on auto-pay so you know all your bills are being taken care of.

in mind, it might seem like closing any unused credit accounts you have would be a good idea. Wrong again. That will change your debt-to-income ratio and possibly hurt your chances of approval. Remember, your loan officer is looking for stability and responsibility, which is why you need to stay the course when it comes to credit.

Co-Sign a Loan — Co-signing a loan might seem harmless, because you’re just helping someone out. You’re not really responsible for paying it back, right? Not true. Co-signing a loan can wreak havoc on your carefully cultivated credit. The fact is, you are 100% Copyright Featured Agent Magazine

Move Money Around — Unusual activity in any of your accounts is going to be a red flag for a mortgage loan officer. Avoid large cash deposits and moving big sums of money between accounts. If you receive any cash gifts intended to help with your down payment, the gift giver may be required to provide documentation that the money was given for that reason and does not need to be paid back.

Now that you know what not to do when applying for a mortgage, you can focus on the excitement of preparing to buy a house. Remember, virtually everyone who has ever purchased a home has gone through the mortgage approval process and lived to tell about it, and you will, too. Good luck!

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