Tips and Tricks
CYBERSECURITY AWARENESS MONTH: Is That Prospective Buyer or Borrower Really Who They Claim to Be?
BROKER’S EDGE — Smarter Real Estate Lending A Public Service Announcement for Realtors, Mortgage Professionals, Escrow Officers, Title Companies, and Real Estate Investors October 2026 | Cybersecurity Awareness Month October Is Cybersecurity Awareness Month — And Real Estate Professionals Should Be Paying Attention Every October, Cybersecurity Awareness Month serves as a national reminder that protecting…
Read MoreSan Francisco Condo Financing Is Changing — What Buyers, Sellers and Realtors Need to Know
Buying a condominium has always involved more than simply qualifying the borrower. The condo project itself also has to qualify. That distinction is becoming increasingly important as a combination of new Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac lending guidelines, California HOA laws, balcony and exterior elevated element inspection requirements, and San Francisco-specific building regulations changes the…
Read MoreMISSION IMPOSSIBLE LOANS – EPISODE 10
The Condo in San Francisco, the Family in Nepal, and the Loan That Almost Didn’t Happen Most people think getting financing should be easy when: You have excellent credit You own a condominium free and clear You have rental income You have significant equity In theory, they’re right. In reality, lenders don’t finance theories. They…
Read MoreA Major Appraisal Change Is Coming November 2 — What Homebuyers, Sellers and Realtors Need to Know
Most homebuyers and sellers don’t spend much time thinking about the appraisal process. Until the appraisal becomes a problem. Beginning November 2, 2026, one of the largest changes to residential appraisal reporting in more than 15 years becomes mandatory for appraisals submitted to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. It’s called UAD 3.6, and it will…
Read More“Buy Land, They’re Not Making It Anymore”
Why Financing Land and Land Development Requires a Different Lending Strategy There is a famous line widely attributed to Mark Twain: “Buy land, they’re not making it anymore.” Whether Twain actually said it or not, the observation captures something fundamental about real estate: land is finite. But owning land and successfully developing land are two…
Read MoreLesson 5: Bank Statement Loans — When Tax Returns Don’t Tell the Whole Story
For many self-employed borrowers, there can be a significant difference between taxable income and the actual cash flow generated by their business. That isn’t necessarily a problem with the business. It may simply be the result of how the tax code works. Business owners often legitimately reduce taxable income through ordinary business expenses, depreciation and…
Read MoreCREDIT CORNER-Episode 3
“My Credit Scores Are Over 820. Why Does My Mortgage Lender Say 744?” It’s a question that can be surprising—and frustrating—for someone preparing to buy or refinance a home: “When I check my credit, my scores are above 800. Why is my mortgage qualifying score only 744?” Here’s a real-world example: A borrower saw VantageScores…
Read MoreBuying a Fixer Condo? Don’t Let the HOA Become the Real Fixer.
Sometimes the Lowest Price Isn’t the Biggest Opportunity…or the Biggest Risk. Recently, a first-time homebuyer contacted me about a condominium that immediately caught their attention. The listing price was attractive, the monthly HOA dues were only $270, and although the property needed cosmetic updating, the buyer was handy and eager to build sweat equity. On…
Read MoreLESSON 3: NOT ALL LENDERS ARE CREATED EQUAL
Why Good Borrowers Get Declined — And Why Another Lender May Say Yes Have you ever wondered why one lender declines a borrower while another lender approves the exact same transaction? It happens more often than many homebuyers and real estate professionals realize. A borrower may have excellent credit, substantial income, significant assets and a…
Read MoreYour Lender Says the Condo Is OK. But Is the Building Actually in Compliance?
Recently, I visited a 6-unit San Francisco condominium building while on Broker Tour. As I walked through the property, something caught my attention: the building had an exterior staircase and railing elevated more than six feet above the ground. Given the increased attention being paid to exterior elevated elements in California condominium buildings, I asked…
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