Yes, we include proof of funds in a strong offer package, and no, it does not have to be cash sitting in a checking account. The full package we like to send: the required disclosures, the pre-approval letter, underwriting documentation when available, credit scores when they are strong enough to help, and proof of funds. Proof of funds shows the seller you genuinely have the money for the down payment and closing costs, which matters because a buyer's cash sometimes comes from a source the seller cannot see, like a refinance on another property. A brokerage account works fine. The money you show also does not have to be the exact money you use. Show a 100,000 dollar brokerage account to support a 20,000 dollar down payment and the seller side has what they need: confidence the funds exist. Nobody on that side is tracing which specific dollars close the deal. Your lender is the one who cares about sourcing. At underwriting, the lender documents exactly which account the down payment and closing funds come from and confirms the paper trail. So keep both audiences in mind. The seller wants assurance you are good for it; the lender wants the specific, sourced money. If you are unsure how your assets will document, sorting that out early is part of the free Roadmap conversation, about 20 minutes where we run your real numbers.