How do I write a stronger offer in a Wisconsin seller's market?
Rob Miller explains the lender-side strategies that make a buyer's offer stand out in a competitive Wisconsin market — straight from the mortgage side of the table.
Rob Miller, Branch Manager at MadCity Home Loans, shares what he tells Realtor partners about making their buyers the most competitive offer in the room.
How do I write a stronger offer in a Wisconsin seller's market?
As a Realtor, your negotiation skills are only as strong as the financial foundation behind your buyer. Here's what I tell every agent partner about stacking the mortgage side of a competitive offer:
1. Get a Full Underwrite — Not Just a Pre-Approval Letter
A standard pre-approval letter means a loan officer reviewed the file. An underwritten pre-approval means an actual underwriter has reviewed income, assets, and credit and issued a conditional approval. This is a near-guarantee, and listing agents know the difference. We offer this at MadCity — ask us for it before your buyer writes an offer.
2. Call the Listing Agent
I will personally call the listing agent before your offer is submitted to introduce the buyer, confirm our turnaround times, and answer any financing questions. A lender who picks up the phone is a massive confidence signal to the seller's side.
3. Short Financing Contingency Window
Most offers come in with 21-day financing contingencies. When my file is already underwritten, we can often commit to 14 days or fewer. This is a real, meaningful competitive advantage on a tight timeline.
4. Offer a Larger Earnest Money Deposit
A higher EMD signals serious intent. Combined with an underwritten pre-approval, it tells the seller this deal is getting to the closing table.
For your buyer: Send them to our Pre-Approval Guide so they understand what documents to gather before we run the underwrite.