Features
Is Fannie about to turn the world upside down?
A Grapevine member is intrigued by Paul Muolo's latest blog and has questions and concerns. They ask "what investor will but [sic] loans at such radically different yields? No more BU/BDs? Will it send MBS prices into the toilet or stratify MBS to loan amount between x & y, a & b, etc?" Join the discussion here.
How is Mortgage Fraud Still Possible?
A member of the Grapevine community asks how fraud can still happen with all of the rules and regulations designed to prevent it. Will fraud always be with us?
What do I need to do to get paid today?
A net branch manager has successfully settled a labor dispute with his employees, but now the parent company won't pay him. Is it time to sue or should he go to the state labor board?
Why does the divorce decree not carry any weight in the lending world?
A loan officer questions why a debt is showing up in his client's credit report when the divorce decree clearly states the ex-spouse is responsible for the balance. Should the amount be included in the ratios? Responses to the question are conflicting.
Lenders soliciting us (broker) to convert office to a branch.
A Grapevine member has questions about recent solicitations to convert their office to a branch. The member sees both pros and cons with this solution to upcoming regulations and is looking for feedback.
Question about Florida licensing
A commercial broker has questions about licensing in Florida and NMLS. They are unsure if they are exempt from licensing.
Who Should Negotiate Purchase Price In New York?
A Grapevine member has a question regarding pricing of a foreclosed home that was recently vandalized. Copper piping, the water heater and other fixtures are now missing, lowering the value of the home. Who should do the pricing negotiation? Click here to join the discussion.
Arms Length or Non-Arms Length Transaction?
A poster has questions about whether selling to a tenant they have had for five years is arms length or non-arms length. Read on for the rest of the debate or to leave your two cents.
Non-Arm's Length Transaction
A Grapevine user discusses a particular loan scenario where a mother wants to save her daughter from going into foreclosure. Find out more here.…
Borrower Has Seven Mortgages
Is there a limit to the maximum number of properties a borrower can finance? What happens when a borrower is trying to refinance his primary residence and has seven mortgages in total on his home and other properties? Find out more here.
Hard Money: Your Opinions Wanted:
Grapevine users share their thoughts on closing loans that were funded with private investor funds. They discuss their opinions on the changing use of hard money with the rest of the market tightening. Find out more here.…
Honest Opinions About Starting Over As A Loan Officer
A former loan originator in the wholesale business is pondering getting back into the market as a loan officer after being gone for three years. Grapevine users share their opinions on current volume, the future of interest rates, and the prospect of making money down the line.
Understanding MERS & Title Claims
Following the latest "foreclosure-gate" headlines, rumors are sparking that due to the "MERS mess" there may issues with getting title insurance. Many say this could "snowball out of control and get ugly." Find out more here.…
I Was Wrong
With massive delays feared for many foreclosures, should brokers move away from the big banks and work with small community banks to carve their niche in the business? Find out what Grapevine users have to say about how government regulations could impact lending practices. Click here to read more.
Two Year Foreclosure: Can You Lend On This?
Grapevine visitors discuss a specific situation where a borrower has a foreclosure due to going through a divorce. Find out what advice readers have to give to this banker.
