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It was bound to happen.  A combination of factors has led to a lot of refinancing activity.

But not all lenders are able to process the applications in a timely manner.

With up to 60 days at times, from the time of application to the time of closing, it is not uncommon for life situations to change.  But be careful because some changes can blow the application out of the water.

Some things you can control, and some things you can't control.  It is smart to control those in the first category, so that you avoid circumstances that may negatively impact your application.  That is especially true in the current environment.

Here are 8 things you should NOT do, in order to keep your refi plans on track,

1. Don't buy that new car, and avoid a trade-up to a bigger lease.
2. Don't quit your job or change professions.
3. Don't change your salaried job to a commission income job.
4. Don't move large sums of money between accounts.
5. Don't neglect to pay your bills in a timely manner.
6. Don't open new credit cards, even at better rates.
7. Don't take a cash gift without completing the proper "gift" paperwork.
8. Don't make unusual and undocumented deposits into your bank account.

If you have a circumstance that may cause you to break any of these - for example, a cash gift from family that may be needed to make the deal fly - just check with your loan officer to make sure it won't be a problem for your application.

The mortgage application process can have numerous "minefields," so it pays to be careful with life changes, especially now that the process itself is taking a longer time.