In today’s fast-paced real estate market, timing and preparation are everything. With homes selling quickly and competition high, buyers who aren’t fully prepared often find themselves missing out on their dream home. As a Realtor, you’ve likely experienced the frustration of watching a promising deal fall apart — but many of these issues are preventable with the right preparation and lender partnership.
Here are the top reasons buyers lose deals — and how you and your clients can avoid them with a trusted, proactive lender like Tidewater Mortgage Services.
- Delayed or Incomplete Pre-Approval
Why it’s a problem:
In a competitive market, buyers who aren’t fully pre-approved may lose out to others who are ready to go. Worse, some buyers think they’re “pre-approved” when they’ve only been pre-qualified — and that distinction can kill a deal when it’s time to make an offer.
How to prevent it:
Encourage your buyers to work with a lender like Tidewater Mortgage Services, who can deliver a full pre-approval — including verified income, credit, and assets — upfront. We prioritize speed and communication, so your buyers are fully prepared from day one.
- Missing or Incomplete Documentation
Why it’s a problem:
Even the strongest buyers can hit a wall if paperwork is missing or inaccurate. A forgotten W-2, unverified employment, or unexplained deposits can stall underwriting — or worse, lead to denial.
How to prevent it:
TMSI works directly with clients to ensure a complete, organized loan file before the offer is made. We guide buyers through every step of the documentation process to keep things on track and stress-free for you.
- Debt-to-Income (DTI) Surprises
Why it’s a problem:
Some buyers don’t understand how their existing debt — credit cards, car payments, student loans — affects their purchasing power. They fall in love with homes outside their true affordability range and struggle to qualify during underwriting.
How to prevent it:
We work with buyers early to calculate realistic loan limits based on verified DTI and help them understand their budget. If a buyer is close to the limit, we can explore custom loan solutions or credit guidance to strengthen their position.
The Bottom Line: A Strong Lender Partnership Makes All the Difference
When deals fall apart, it’s often due to preventable issues. That’s why working with a responsive, proactive lender like Tidewater Mortgage Services can make all the difference. From clear communication to complete pre-approvals and quick closings, we’re here to help you close more deals and keep your buyers in the game.
Let’s connect today and talk about how we can partner together to make your next transaction a win — for you and your clients.
Leads: What Lenders Look for When You Apply for a Mortgage
Thinking about buying a home? Before you start house hunting, it’s important to understand how lenders determine whether you qualify for a mortgage — and what kind of loan you’ll be approved for. Knowing what goes into the approval process can help you avoid surprises, strengthen your application, and ultimately put you in a better position to buy the home you want.
At Tidewater Mortgage Services, we’re here to guide you every step of the way. Here’s a breakdown of the key factor’s lenders consider when reviewing your mortgage application — and how to get a head start on the process.
Credit Score & Credit History
Your credit score is one of the first things lenders look at — it tells us how well you’ve managed debt in the past. But we don’t just look at the number. Your credit history of payments, types of credit used, and any late payments or collections also matter.
- A higher credit score generally means better loan options and interest rates.
- Don’t worry if your score isn’t perfect — we offer a variety of loan programs for a wide range of credit profiles.
- If you’re unsure of your score, a soft credit pre-check (with no impact to your credit) can give you a starting point.
Income, Employment & Job Stability
We want to make sure you have consistent income to support your monthly mortgage payments. Lenders typically look at:
- Your gross monthly income (before taxes)
- Job history and stability — a steady job history of at least 2 years is ideal
- Types of income: W-2, self-employed, commissions, bonuses, etc.
Tip: If you’re self-employed or recently changed jobs, we can still work with you — we just might need additional documentation to verify your income.
Assets & Debt-to-Income (DTI) Ratio
Lenders evaluate your overall financial picture, including your assets and existing debt. This helps determine how much house you can realistically afford.
- Assets include savings, checking, retirement accounts, and gift funds
- DTI ratio is the percentage of your monthly income that goes toward debts (like student loans, car payments, and credit cards)
- A lower DTI means you’re in a stronger position to qualify
We’ll also verify that you have enough funds for your down payment and closing costs — but don’t worry, there are low down payment programs available, especially for first-time homebuyers.
Ready to See Where You Stand?
Applying for a mortgage doesn’t have to be overwhelming. At Tidewater Mortgage Services, we offer a free soft credit pull and pre-check so you can see where you stand without impacting your credit. Whether you’re ready to buy now or just starting to explore your options, we’re here to help you make confident, informed decisions.
Reach out today to get started with a quick pre-check — no pressure, no commitment, just helpful guidance.
