Certainly some bad apples are out there but the central idea I support is a push back to localized lending not lending with intent to distribute.

You only get one bite of the apple. 

I suggest getting multiple quotes comparing apples to apples from at least 3 different brokers/carriers.

Your analogy of the small v. little guy doesn't fly - its apples v. oranges.On top of that, Russia has been meddling in Georgia for years, sending citizens into the "breakaway regions" to populate them with Russians.

Comparing real estate investing with your IRA to real estate investing with personal funds is comparing apples to oranges.  

I've been trying to use logic to get you to see that one apple isn't going to grow you an orange grove.

Apples; 9.

Obviously, there will be some rotten apples in the bunch, but that is inevitable with a platform this size.  

But, if I was forced to move somewhere, I guess I would head back to Apple Valley because I still have family in that area.  

Make sure you tell them you are getting 3 different quotes, do not let them know who they are bidding against, but let them know it will be an apples to apples comparison. tell them you need prices for 1-3", 3-6" 6-10"& 12+ rates.