Credit Card Common Sense
You have to have a reasonably good financial foundation before a lender will approve you for a mortgage loan. They look for a good credit rating, enough money in the bank to make the initial down payment and pay the closing costs, and a stable employment situation. People who have just qualified for a mortgage loan are usually in better-than-average financial shape. If you have just bought a new house, don't be surprised if you receive a lot of offers from retail stores and other credit card companies offering you pre-approved revolving credit.


Be careful about accepting too many of these offers! New home owners have often wiped out most of their savings to buy their home, and they need everything from linens to furniture to get settled into it. With all of the immediate credit available, it may be very tempting to just say "charge it." If you're not careful, you could be "up to your ears" in debt very quickly. It takes discipline to reach the goal of home ownership--and it takes that same kind of discipline to maintain financial health after you leave the closing table.