The best mortgage lender is not necessarily the one who offers the lowest rates. The mortgage loan is useless, if the buyer loses the house because the lender cannot close on time.
In this very competitive market, sellers can easily replace a buyer, if the contract is not fulfilled. Not closing on time (due to lender's fault, among other reasons), can invalidate the purchase contract.
While some sellers are willing to extend the closing date, why take the chance? Seller can easily pick another buyer, who could be making a higher offer than the original buyer.
