Have they been stable or has their been growth/decline?

By the way, you probably thought rates had no where to go but up 6 months ago as well (I did) and they have been in a steady 6 month decline since then.  

I went to Than Merrills introductory session the 2 hour one in east bay, I think it's called Fortune Builders or something; It was good but I didn't sign up for the weekend course; When I asked the saleslady is $250 weekend seminar good enough to get started to invest, she said it's good enough for your first investment but there is a mastery program, I declined and didn't go for the $250 weekend course.  

Your right, usually those not in the white house will say the market is bad and that will normally cause a decline in the market.

The property did not appraise for the agreed purchase price (property prices had continued to decline over that year in my area).

I like brevitas as a newer site and costar's products.

And quite frankly, I doubt whether you can 'google' my advice, which is the product of 40 years of success in residential, commercial, investment real estate, trust deeds, private loans, and syndications.

One, if you are buying turnkey, visit with your turnkey provider and see the product they are putting out.

I also agree that some of these "gurus" make their living off of selling products and selling coaching.  

Often the large banks have delays as well.A loan product I have to use often in my market due to its competitiveness is using a loan where the borrower goes through the full underwriting process before making offers.