How can I compete without fully waiving the mortgage contingency?

Competing without fully waiving the mortgage contingency is possible by shortening the contingency period, getting fully underwritten rather than just preapproved before the offer goes in, or waiving only the appraisal portion while keeping financing protection in place. Sellers often weigh certainty and speed as much as a fully waived contingency, so a strong, well-documented preapproval can offset keeping some other protection. An agent structures the offer terms around what will actually move a specific seller.