The most overlooked step in home selling (that every smart seller should take).

When you’re selling your home and an offer comes in, it’s easy to focus on the price. Maybe it’s full asking. Maybe it’s even above asking. The excitement is real — but before you celebrate, there’s one step too many sellers skip: have your agent speak directly with the buyer’s lender.

This five-minute step can be the difference between a smooth closing and a deal that crashes mid-escrow.

A Quick Story That Could’ve Ended Differently

A few months ago, one of my sellers got an offer that looked fantastic. Full price. Short option period. Conventional financing. We were ready to move forward. But something didn’t sit right.

So I called the buyer’s lender. After a short conversation, I found out that while the buyer had a pre-qualification letter, their income documents hadn’t been verified. Even worse, they were switching jobs in the middle of the process. It wasn’t a deal-breaker — but it was a huge risk.

We went back to the buyer’s agent, clarified the situation, and the buyer ultimately agreed to delay closing by two weeks. That early call saved my seller from pulling the home off the market for a deal that would have likely blown up.

Why This Call Matters

In today’s fast-moving market, not every pre-approval is truly solid. Some buyers are well-qualified, but others may not be as ready as their letter suggests. A quick call to the lender can answer:

• Has the buyer been fully underwritten, or just pre-qualified?

• Have their credit, income, and assets been verified?

• What kind of loan are they using?

• Is the closing timeline realistic?

• Any red flags or pending issues?

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This isn’t about playing detective — it’s about protecting your time and your equity.

Seller’s Quick Checklist Before Accepting an Offer:

• Has your agent spoken directly with the buyer’s lender?

• Is the buyer’s financing fully approved or just pre-qualified?

• Do they have a solid down payment?

• Any job changes, co-signers, or recent credit issues?

• Does the lender seem responsive and professional?

If your agent can’t answer these — pause before you say yes.

Final Thought

Selling a home is more than signing a contract. It’s about navigating a process that includes a lot of moving parts — and financing is one of the biggest. As a Realtor in Houston who’s seen hundreds of deals through to closing, I always recommend verifying the financing before taking your home off the market.

It’s five minutes that could save you five weeks of stress.