One of the scariest things about rumors is that they do not have to be true to influence people. Today, I’d like to take a little detour from my real estate investing topics to address this very subject and how it’s affecting the mortgage industry. I ask for your time and hope you’ll get why this needed to be written. Our mortgage industry is going through a bit of a tough time--this isn’t shocking news; even those unfamiliar with real estate investing are talking about the state of our markets. The boom of recent years is over and we’re left trying to keep our feet steady as we assess the situation. Nothing makes this more difficult then rumors, which attack our confidence and only add to the confusion. Every day you hear about different lenders going out of business, unable to stay standing due to the dramatic shift; markets must adjust, after all. Well, with all these lenders closing their doors, people start to get scared. Rumors get started about so-and-so going out of business as well. The confusion mounts. And maybe so-and-so is closing that division. Chaos mounts. Well, I’m over all that; there are still reputable lenders out there and brokers need to hear that. You see, many brokers had files started with lenders that closed. Now, they’re searching for someone to help them close. One particular rumor I heard recently was about TransLand Financial Services, a known reputable lender, and their decision to close their wholesale division. But it was a rumor and nothing more. The truth is somewhat different than the report I heard; TransLand is actually expanding their wholesale division--www.translandwholesale.com. They’re stubbornly standing despite the confusion and acting as a bit of a lighthouse for brokers who need to close on loans. Here’s a few points I particularly found attractive about their wholesale division: they accept copies and faxes in lieu of originals, better pricing, 20% fewer conditions, 24-Hour underwriting, conventional pre-approvals, and fast closings. Don’t you see? They, and others like them, are providing a crucial service to our market and economy as a whole. So, check out their website--www.translandwholesale.com--and spread the word about a strong presence for brokers during this time.