Most operators call a lender after they are already in contract. It is the most expensive habit in this business. Here is how it goes wrong. You find the deal. You run your numbers against what you think a lender will do. You write the offer. Then you start shopping capital and find out your actual leverage is different from your assumption. Now you have three bad options. Renegotiate and look shaky to the seller. Bring more cash than you planned and starve your next deal. Or