Tools and Tips

37 | Transform Yourself into an Industry Leader: 6 Tips Standing out means knowing the market — and yourself

By Susan J. Frost, Alliance Mortgage and Marketing

38 | Distressed Borrowers
Have Options

Loan mods, short sales and credit repair could be in the cards for your clients By Shel House, MLS Mortgage Group

19

40 | How to Make Friends
with Investors

The distressed-property niche presents a potential opportunity for willing brokers By N. Xavier Arnold,

Real Smart Investment LLC

19 | Lead Article: Built to Scrap By Joseph Weissglass, Certified Chinese Drywall Testing LLC Defective drywall commonly known as Chinese drywall has started to infect properties nationwide — reportedly rendering some homes unlivable and unsellable. As the real estate, building and legal communities wrestle with its impact, now is the time to educate clients on their options before and after financing goes through.

40 | Share the Love on Your Blog When you write about your partners, you boost your credibility on two fronts

By Rick Grant, Rick Grant & Associates

44 | Benefiting from Strong
Relationships

Mortgage meltdown teaches importance of creating and maintaining allies

By Vince Parlove, Michigan Mutual Inc.

Departments

12 | In the Past Month Positives from the jobs front. Plus: From the Editor

14 | Q&A: Evaluating FHA Economics professor expects Federal Housing Administration bailout. Plus: Tip of the Month

16 | Spotlight: California

In the Golden State, mortgage-market revival may begin by the sea.

Articles

22 | Workouts: Where You Fit Understanding modification programs and options is the first step to a new niche By Joe Dombrowski, Fiserv

24 | 4 Compliance Questions
to Answer Now

What you don’t know about changes to the GFE and fees could bite you back By Anthony F. Geraci, Geraci Law Firm

CORRECTION Kevin Budde of Bank of America Home Loans ranked No. 24 by dollar volume, No. 70 by loans closed and No. 4 in purchase volume in the Top Originators 2009 rankings on Pages 19, 22 and 24 of April’s print residential edition of Scotsman Guide. His information was incorrectly attributed in the print rankings but appears correctly at scotsmanguide.com/Top2009 and in April’s digital residential edition.