Getting a mortgage doesn’t have to be difficult… well, okay – maybe it is not as easy as it was a few years ago to get a loan. But there are still things that you can do to make it as easy as possible.

Here are some simple things that you can do to make it easier to get financing:

Communicate

Be sure to speak often with your loan officer when getting a mortgage. It is important to tell your loan officer everything about your financial picture — don’t make him guess about where you are financially. Don’t lie about anything either – it will only hurt your chances of getting approved when it comes up (and it will).

Get Homeowners Insurance

When buying a home, one of the leading causes of delays has nothing to do with the mortgage process — it is getting home insurance. Be sure that you have your home insurance taken care of ahead of time.

Don’t Change Jobs

During the loan process, don’t change jobs unless you have to. Having a stable job history is one of the most important things when it comes to getting qualified for a loan as well.

Don’t Get New Debt

It may sound simple – but don’t go out and buy a new car while you are trying to get a mortgage. Acquiring new debt during the loan process is only setting you up for potential problems.

Don’t Make Moving Plans The Day of Closing

If you are supposed to close on a Friday, don’t set up the moving van until the day after closing — and on Friday maybe not until Tuesday. In an ideal world, allow a 5 day window between closing your loan and moving.

These simple steps won’t ensure that you will avoid all of the problems when getting a loan, but following them will help you along the way.