., etc.) without any real estate experience is a bit like trying to form and manage a law firm without any legal experience, or trying to establish and manage an auto repair shop without any automotive experience--those would be monumental challenges even locally, but doing it from hundreds of miles away is near impossible.

I guess it protects them from borrower's shopping mid-transaction. 

my family runs a mom and pop shop at a ski shop in tahoe.

@Karan SinghThe good old fashioned way, broker relations.

Area has mix of older retail strips, motels, banks, gas stations, some QSR, a few independent restaurants, services (barber shops, etc.), and retail, warehouses, factories, and a business incubator for entrepreneurs. 

Look for areas with low vacancy rates, good schools, and proximity to amenities like shopping centers, parks, and public transportation.

I would say shop around for a different insurer. 

If you can utilize an FHA 203k loan that's the best of all worlds.I am here in Chicago to so if you'd like to link up and talk shop let me know!

I also make sure the broker, if one is part of the transaction is copied and make it known in the email that defects exist and spell them out in a neat and organized fashion. 

Shop around, either with other banks or go through a finance broker.