
Buying Secret #10: Keep Your Money Where It Is
It's not wise to make any huge purchases or move your money around three to six months before buying a new home. You don't want to take any big chances with your credit profile. Lenders need to see that you're reliable and they want a complete paper trail so that they can get you the best loan possible. If you open new credit cards, amass too much debt or buy a lot of big-ticket items, you're going to have a hard time getting a loan.
Buying Secret...

If you can afford it, it might be simple to pay off your mortgage earlier. But should you? That's a complicated question.
Homeowners with low mortgage rates may be better off putting extra money in a Roth IRA or 401(k), both of which might offer a higher return than paying off the mortgage.
Then there's the college aid factor. If you're applying for need-based aid for your kids, that home equity could count against you with some colleges because some institutions view equity as money in the bank.
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