05/31/2026
Yesterday I received a call from a Realtor asking if I could step in and save a deal.
The buyer had just received a denial from their lender… one week before closing after already being under contract for several weeks.
I immediately got on the phone with the buyer, reviewed the documents, and within minutes it became clear they would not qualify for the mortgage on their own.
The frustrating part? This likely could have been identified before they ever went under contract.
The lender had issued a pre-approval upfront without fully verifying the buyer’s information. Unfortunately, this happens more often than people realize.
For homebuyers:
Don’t just ask if you’re “pre-approved.” Ask your lender:
Has my information actually been verified?
Has my file gone through underwriting?
Most mortgage companies today have the ability to fully underwrite loans at the pre-approval stage — before an offer is even accepted. There’s really no reason not to.
For Realtors:
Make sure the lenders you work with are doing the necessary due diligence before issuing pre-approvals. It protects your clients, your reputation, and your deals.
This stuff is elementary for loan officers. In today’s world, these mistakes are more avoidable than ever.
Who you work with matters.