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Hunting Rabbits With a Bowling Ball

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Mortgage and Lending with Guaranteed Rate NMLS# 2611 NMLS #208860

rabbitIs anyone else having a hard time keeping up?  Just when you think you learn the new rules of lending, they change.  You study program guidelines, check out lender websites, grill your account execs, and tattoo new Fannie Mae manuals on your forearm to no avail.  I'm just too slow.

OK.  100% No Doc programs for investors couldn't last forever; I get that.  But what happened to cash-out refis over 75% LTV?  Are there any 100% loans left?  For folks like us in Bradenton, Florida who have been tagged with a 5% CLTV penalty for being in a declining market, I guess not.  Isn't the whole country in a down market?

And what's up with the appraisals?  I thought 5 comps would be delightful, but turns out most lenders want 8 recent sales within 30 yards of the subject property that have sold in the last 72 hours.  It's nuts.

I just want to be part of the solution and get qualified, stable buyers into one of the 4,100 homes listed in Manatee County.  Is that too much to ask?  Is anyone else feeling this or am I the only one feeling like a turtle?  Maybe I should start using carrots instead of bowling balls to catch these hares!

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Steve Hirschler
Keller Williams Big Bear - Big Bear Lake, CA
Big Bear Real Estate
I love that title....
Jan 10, 2008 09:11 AM
Dan Forbes
Bradenton, FL

Gee, Mike. I didn't realize how tight the guidelines were getting. I was doing a CMA today and could only find 1 comparable sale in the last 4 months.

By the way, if you see any headlines or news articles that I might include in my short sale package, please let me know.

Thanks for referring J. B.  We met today.

Jan 10, 2008 10:23 AM
Mike Tullio
Guaranteed Rate NMLS# 2611 - Sarasota, FL
VP of Mortgage Lending

Steve.  Thanks for the thumbs-up on my headline.

Dan.  It's funny how a lot of the lending world's major changes don't trickle down into the hands of the real estate professionals.  We're all trying to get things done, but as mortgage brokers, we're seeing all of the challenges up close and personal and a lot of things have to go right to get a deal to the closing table.  Good thing we have enlightened realtors like you in our market to work with!

Jan 10, 2008 01:09 PM
John Novak
Keller Williams Realty The Marketplace - Las Vegas, NV
Henderson, Las Vegas and Summerlin Real Estate
Mike - I have a feeling that for 2008 every day is going to bring something in the real estate and lending markets. As long as you keep approaching it with a humorous perspective (like in this post's title) you'll have no problem meeting the challenges!
Jan 10, 2008 01:13 PM
Mike Tullio
Guaranteed Rate NMLS# 2611 - Sarasota, FL
VP of Mortgage Lending
John.  Thanks for the level-headed comments.  Humor is huge right now.  And like you said, change is inevitable, so buckle up and get ready for the ride.  Cheers!
Jan 11, 2008 12:36 AM
Ron Avneri
Seattle, WA
Financial Professional
We're still here Mike
Feb 04, 2008 04:27 AM