Why would an estate agent want to know how our funds are made up?

[Letsgotocornwall]

We've had an offer accepted on a property, the estate agent wanted proof that we were able to get the mortgage up to the amount, etc. Our lender has sent details verifying we can pay the offer price. The estate agent have now asked how this is made up? I.e. How much deposit, how much mortgage? Is this usual?

We bought a house with no mortgage, funded by the proceeds from the sale of our (mortgage-free) house. The EA knew perfectly well that our house was being sold for hundreds of thousands more than we were offering for the new one - indeed he'd shown us round houses more expensive than the one we were selling. There was no attempt at getting us to up the offer - our offer (well below the initial asking price) was accepted within half an hour, no negotiations. The EA seemed relieved that we were more reliable buyers than the previous three who'd offered on the house and not had funds to see it through...

Honestly, it's not as sinister as you think. The vast majority of EAs will just be wanting to sell quickly, and shift as many houses as possible.