This week we cover:

This week, the median list price for Cobb County, GA, is $500,000, with the market action index hovering around 36. This is slightly lower than last month's market action index of 37.

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Plenty of lists tell you what to do when buying a home, but knowing what not to do can save your deal and thousands of dollars. These common missteps trip up buyers every single day.

Don't Overestimate Your Budget: Getting pre-approved first is smart and necessary. Lenders typically want your debt-to-income ratio below 33%. Before you meet with a mortgage broker, track your spending for a month. Use apps like Mint to see where your money actually goes.

Avoid Large Purchases (Yes, Even That Perfect Couch): Your mortgage approval is based on your financial picture at the time you apply. Buy a car or finance new furniture, and suddenly you have less money and more debt. Banks will notice.

Keep Your Banking Simple: Don't switch banks or make large cash deposits without documentation. Lenders review 60 days of bank statements and flag anything unusual. If someone gives you a down payment, they'll need to sign a letter stating it's not a loan you'll repay later.

Stay Stable: This isn't the time to switch jobs, start a company, or co-sign a loan for your cousin. Lenders want to see financial stability above all else. Even missing a single payment can drop your credit score by more than 100 points.

Reality Check: Getting emotionally attached to a house before you own it leads to poor decisions. Go in with high intention but low attachment. There will always be another great property.

Once you start the mortgage process, every financial move matters until those keys are in your hand. We’ve seen how small missteps can delay closings, and we want you to avoid that stress.

Read the full guide to avoid costly home-buying mistakes

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