What to Avoid This Christmas If You Want to Buy a Home in 2026

In this week's solo episode, Dan breaks down the Christmas money traps that can quietly sabotage your chances of buying a home in 2026. The festive season is meant to be fun but a few costly decisions now can show up on your bank statements, your credit report, and ultimately… your mortgage application. Dan covers the key red flags lenders look for during and after the Christmas period, including: • Gifted deposits - what you need to know and what lenders need to see. • Unnecessary debt - how credit cards, Klarna, and December splurges impact your affordability. • January job hopping - why switching roles  without advice can delay your mortgage approval. • Gambling activity - how transactions can raise lender concerns. • Signs of financial distress - overdraft patterns, credit utilisation, and other warning indicators Whether you're already saving or just starting your 2026 homebuying plan, this episode will help you protect your financial profile through the festive season - and keep your dream of owning a home firmly on track. Mortgage Appointment Book a FREE mortgage appointment with Dan here: https://calendly.com/danknottmortgageadviser/mortgage-appointment-strategy-call Dan Knott Follow Dan on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/dandoesmortgages_/