HLS, I didnt say a larger down means a stronger buyer, I said it means a perceived stronger buyer. We dont have access to the same information on a buyers qualifications as a lender does. Furthermore, it may come as a surprise to you, but most mortgage brokers lie to us on a daily basis. Yes, they lie over and over again. We can only make decisions on information we can verify ourselves and if that makes us ignorant to some extent so be it. That is why large down payments rule the day. We can verify the money is there via bank statements. A piece of paper from you or any other pre-approval letter is worthless to me unless I have a solid history and experience with you that I can base trust upon. That is why direct lender letters are perceived to be better. Personally, you sound on the ball and I’d love to work with you. You seem to carry yourself much as I do. You’ll be hearing from me. We just have to have confidentiality in place because, I’m not a face on the shopping cart guy. I prize my personal life and privacy.

As for the buyers in escrow too long, they arent my buyers as I am the lisitng agent. If I could push them to a better lender like you, I would.

Scarlet doesnt need to pay more, she needs a good agent. In choosing which buyer to go with, the agent who represents them and how they keep in contact with me through the short sale approval process is the single most important factor to me beyond a fair price and solidly qualified buyer. I never tell a buyer that I represent with a smaller down payment that they have to pay more. I tell them they might get trumped by another buyer with more cash and there is probably little they can do to overcome that and its OK. Make an offer you are comfortable with and stick with it. If not this house, there will be another.