Someone had an offer accepted before you saw it.  

Realized need constant cash flow to fund our marketing campaigns.Put business on hold to get degree in Construction Management.

as long as the net to the seller is acceptable, and the buyer agrees to reduce the credit if the house does not appraise, I don't see the problem with them

Also, in my experience, I've seen the buyer without a broker have their offer accepted over a buyer with a broker when their offer and credentials were the same.

The second girl however, has a masters degree in psychology and is working for a health company right now in Southern California and wants to transfer back to Northern California to her old job (another health company).

. - I have a B.S. in Political Science, not exactly a degree in real estate...Thanks!

In regards to HML,  if you are upfront with them many of them wouldn't accept borrowed money either as your skin in the game.  

Let's say the bank accepts my offer, but technically the property is still NOT mine until we have signed the contract on the closing date, correct?

I then got accepted into a masters program in Europe and so ended it early.

@DJ Thompson Did they accept your offer?