Stewart Title, Ticor Title, and First American are all places to start in Seattle.  

@Len Roche my first loan was with Wells Fargo (back in 2009) then I talked to my brother-in-law about a loan he had on his investment property with American Airlines Credit Union.

I am looking forward to contributing to the forums, especially topics including: financial analysis and underwriting (a class I teach at UCLA), leasing commercial properties, and flipping v. renting (via my former position at American Homes 4 Rent).

Why are Americans who work for a living taxed more than investors who live off of their investments?

While investors have been trying to capitalize on this trend by buying up residential rental properties, 60 percent of Americans can’t afford a $1,200-a-month rent, he said.

Has anyone come across any American Companies that will lend to Americans who are looking to purchase investment properties in other countries.

Per online sources I also found this, "The average American mortgage refinance costs between 3 and 6 percent of the home loan's value.

You could also look for a broker to help you out- I have one insured through American Modern.  

Owning a house is part of the "American Dream" so people buy homes even if it doesn't make 100% financial sense to do so.

There was an episode on American Greed about Remington financial.. they were in business over 20 years their target was small commercial to bigger multi or commercial.. they charged 5 to 10k DD fee's estimated they brought in over 200 million in the 22 years they operated.. by the time the FBI was done with them.. they could not establish that they had made more than 11 loans in all those years.... long prison sentences. your instincts are fine and intact.