I had a deal last month that was two signatures away from closing. Two. The buyers had done their final walkthrough, loved everything, even commented on how the sellers left the garage so clean. Then the husband decided to check his credit score "just to make sure everything was fine" and discovered his wife had secretly opened three store credit cards during the escrow period to furnish their new house. Their debt-to-income ratio went through the roof. Lender pulled their approval within hours. I got the call while I was literally picking up a congratulatory gift card for my transaction coordinator. The sellers had already moved out and were halfway to Arizona. The buyers' marriage may or may not survive. My commission definitely didn't. I now include "please don't open any new lines of credit" in every single text, email, and conversation. I've considered getting it tattooed on my forehead. Three months of work, gone because someone needed a Pottery Barn card with a 15% discount. That sectional better be comfortable because they're going to be sitting on it in their apartment for another year.