The closing of your mortgage loan is a big day to look forward to because when it is successfully complete, you will officially be a homeowner. Getting to closing can be a rough process because of all the inspections, paperwork, documentation, insurance searches, and so on. Purchasing a home can be an exhausting but rewarding experience and closing is the final step.

But never take for granted that a mortgage closing is a done deal just because the date is set. For some people, they actually get to the closing appointment only to find out something has gone wrong, the realtor has made a mistake, or the attorney’s office missed something. It can be quite a fiasco.

In addition to the many things that can go wrong on the other side, you also have the ability to derail your own closing. Mortgage lenders are more stringent than ever before to avoid risk so expect they will have their eye on you from application start to loan closing.

A delayed closing means more work for everyone but if you are looking to sabotage your own mortgage loan closing, here’s what to do:

Acquire a New Car Loan or Credit Card

The last thing a lender wants to see is a mortgage applicant applying for new lines of credit. The lender will do everything they can to prevent risks and if an applicant goes out and scores a new financial obligation before closing on the mortgage, there is a risk the applicant may default on payments down the line. If you want to get to closing on time, do not make any changes to your credit situation unless you are eliminating existing debts. Be assured your lender will be checking for new credit applications and accounts.

Get a New Job/Quit a Job

Your lender’s decision to accept your mortgage loan application was based on your income situation and job stability. If you up and leave your current job or quit altogether, you are putting your financial situation in jeopardy and leave the possibly of a future loan default. This is especially true if you accept a new job that takes you from a salaried position to one based on commission. Your original application approval can be reversed by the lender if your employment change causes you to no longer qualify by the lender’s standards.

Run Up Your Bills

If you want to stop your loan closing, start running up your credit card bills beforehand. While people who are planning on a new home purchase do anticipate having to buy new appliances or furniture, it can be detrimental to run up charges on credit before the closing has been successfully executed. To keep a closing on track, make sure to leave your credit cards at home and pay cash as much as you can. If you change your debt to income ratio, your mortgage application can be denied based on ineligibility. Lenders will revisit your numbers before your closing date so don’t spend to err on the side of caution.