1. Be fully pre-approved, not pre-qualified
A pre-qualification is a guess based on what you told a lender. A pre-approval means your income, assets and credit were actually reviewed. Listing agents know the difference, and so should you.
2. Make the pre-approval letter match the offer
A letter for $450,000 on a $380,000 offer tells the seller you have room to go up. Jordan writes letters to match the offer price so you negotiate from strength.
3. Have your lender call the listing agent
A short call from the lender — "this file is solid, here is what I have reviewed, here is my cell" — answers the one question every listing agent has: will this financing actually close? Jordan makes that call with every offer.
4. Shorten the financing contingency responsibly
Because your file is already underwritten up front, a shorter financing contingency is a promise you can keep, not a gamble.
5. Offer a realistic closing date
Sellers have moving plans too. Matching their preferred date (or offering flexibility) can beat a higher offer with an inconvenient timeline.
6. Know your appraisal-gap position before you need it
If you can cover a gap between appraised value and price, say so — with a cap. If you cannot, do not pretend. Your agent and Jordan can structure language that protects you either way.
7. Keep inspection, do not waive blindly
A "pass/fail" inspection (you can walk, but will not nickel-and-dime) is often as reassuring to a seller as waiving entirely, with far less risk to you.
8. Put real earnest money down
Earnest money shows commitment, and it is credited back to you at closing. A thin deposit reads as a hesitant buyer.
9. Understand seller credits before you ask for them
Asking the seller to cover closing costs can be smart — but it lowers the net offer. Know the number and the program limits before it goes in the contract.
Jordan · Loan Officer