I was adamant about not devaluing our services and lowering rates in what I believed could only end as a “a race to the bottom” for our industry and profession.

The 9% rate is under the norm for Indianapolis.

A few I found some information about (mainly to stay away from them as they changed the rates/terms at the last minute), and one had a bunch of fake reviews on the BBB site, but the others I cannot find any information about as far as customer satisfaction.

In both scenarios, you won't really be impacted by the interest rate, unless your sole focus is not to pay a dime to the banks. 

This stat makes complete sense in my mind given interest rates.

Neighborhood quality can vary street to street in some areas and there can also be stark differences in tax rates and city ordinances in some suburbs.   

Before I left, we had an average rating of 4.93 across many markets and channels. 

I'm being quoted a 7.75% cash out refi rate at Houston Federal Credit Union right now.

I'm coming across FB ads offering large lines of credit for businesses at zero percent rates, in other words, possibly eliminating the hard money lenders. 

Got a better hit rate for them.