Here are 8 things you should never do before closing on a house.

Buying a home can be complicated and stressful, especially if the closing process It takes a lot of time – which happens often. While much of it is a waiting game, what you do during the weeks or months before closing plays a crucial role in the success of the entire transaction. This is what many people end up going through with a real estate agent who can help guide them through the process and avoid any hiccups along the way.

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Whether or not you use an agent, however, there are some things you should simply never do when closing on a house. Here are the big ones, according to Danielle Andrews, a real estate agent at Realty ONE Group and Lindsey Harn, a prominent agent for Christie’s International Real Estate.

Apply for other loans or lines of credit

When closing on a house, Harn said not to take on any new debt. Wait to take out that interest-free loan from Home Depot for a new appliance until you get the keys. Don’t apply for a new credit card or get financing for your dream car. All of these things can wait until the process is finished.

If you need to take on new debt, let your creditor know as soon as possible.

“Taking on any new debt that has not been disclosed to the creditor can cause a huge problem,” she said.

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Falling behind on payments

When it comes to buying a home, consistency is key – especially with credit and finances. Whatever debts or bills you have, don’t miss any payments.

“Don’t think that just because you’re pre-approved or even approved with conditions that you can start delaying payments or even skipping payments on bills and debts,” Andrews said.

Even one or two missed payments can affect your credit score and hurt your chances of getting a loan. Fall too far behind and you could end up losing the transaction completely.

To divorce

Life happens, but if you can postpone a big change in your life, like filing for divorce, you’ll probably be better off. The same goes for the separation request.

“Filing for divorce in the middle of your transaction can cause a big change in things and prevent the transaction from being completed in many states, depending on the details of the separation [or] divorce,” Harn said.

This is often the case when you and your partner initially apply for home financing together and the lender relies on your financial and credit situation for the loan approval process. But even if only one of you is on the loan application, you may want to wait until things calm down with the house before filing for divorce.

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“This seems strange, but it can affect how the title is obtained and the income the lender is using to qualify you for the loan, especially if you are receiving down payment assistance,” Andrews said. “Things can get very complicated with the loan quickly.”

Co-sign for anything

Just as you shouldn’t take on new debt, you shouldn’t sign anything either.

“I know it can be tempting to help a relative with their first car purchase, but that will have to wait until after closing,” Andrews said. “Don’t think that just because you signed that your lender won’t find out.”

Quit your job

Most mortgage lenders require you to have at least two consecutive years of employment before they will approve you for a home loan. So if you’re in the middle of the closing process, don’t quit your job.

“Changing your primary source of income can also cause problems at closing and your ability to qualify for a loan,” Harn said.

Ignore your creditor or fail to communicate

Communication is key to ensuring a smooth closing process and that there is no confusion or unnecessary stress along the way.

“It is important to communicate with everyone [parties], especially your lender, throughout the loan process,” Andrews said. “People can get married, divorced, start a new job, buy a car and more during the home buying process.”

“However, they absolutely need to speak to their lender first so everyone is clear on the implications and parameters,” he said. “It’s not impossible, it’s just not that ideal.”

Make large cash deposits

If you have multiple checking and savings accounts and are thinking about consolidating them by transferring large amounts of money from one to another, you may want to wait until the closing process is complete.

“Any large deposits should be seasoned or checked,” Harn said. “A large deposit is typically considered to be anything over $500. Due to [the Dodd-Frank Act]all deposits must be verified.”

Of course, if you can prove where the money comes from, this may not be a problem.

Make assumptions

Making assumptions is a surefire way to delay the closing process, so avoid doing so as much as possible.

“Don’t make assumptions. Ask questions,” Andrews said. “There are no stupid questions in real estate. Make sure you get a clear understanding and guideline.

What You Should Do Before Closing on a House

And so that all your bases are covered, here are some things you should do to increase your chances of a successful transaction – and minimize stress:

• Keep lines of communication open. “When in doubt, I always tell my clients to contact me and their mortgage lender before making any major changes to their finances, especially in the middle of escrow,” Harn said.

• Learn as much as you can. The closing process can be confusing if you don’t know what to expect. Talk to your real estate agent or lender about anything you don’t fully understand. They will be happy to clarify this for you.

• Keep your finances and credit stable. It cannot be emphasized enough how important it is to avoid new forms of debt or sudden or major changes in your income or credit score.

• Handle gift funds appropriately. “Any gift fund must be properly prepared or preparations for gift funds must be sent directly to closing,” Harn said.

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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates. with: I’m a Realtor: Here Are 8 Things You Should Never Do Before Closing on a House