Will an accidental overdraft after paying off a credit card to protect my credit score affect my underwriting approval?

An accidental overdraft like that shouldn't derail your approval. An overdraft doesn't automatically flag in the automated underwriting system, and it isn't a hard stop. What likely happened is simple sequencing: money left one account to pay the card before the offsetting deposit or transfer landed, and the balance dipped negative for a moment. Worst case, an underwriter reviewing your bank statements notices it and asks for a short written explanation. That's easy to provide, because the truth is exactly what happened: a timing gap in funds moving between accounts, with the money there to cover it. A one-line letter of explanation usually puts it to rest. A few habits keep you out of that conversation entirely: - Keep a small cushion in the account you pay bills from. - Avoid timing large debt paydowns right against other outflows in the weeks before and during underwriting. - Steer clear of large unexplained deposits while you're in the loan, since underwriters review your most recent statements. - If something odd does appear, tell your loan team proactively. A heads-up with the explanation attached is always smoother than a surprise mid-underwriting.