I found a good spot in a shopping strip.

I've contacted First American and they seem to be reasonable but have not hammered out all the details yet.

Could just be a small shop small team - just call them up and ask the owners about the volume they do, what expertise they have and also MOST importantly ask what they own investing and ownership is. they should actively personally investing (and also have experience in owning investment properties) also ask for references of past and current clients!

It will be money well spent now, instead of a lot more money spent later.I use American Tenant Screening for background checks.

Careful shopping might do a little better, if the issue is taxes maybe a better rate makes it worth while to make the switch.Instead of staring a nuclear war with this gentlemen, find a way to solve his problem.

Beauty shops and barber shops can be gossip mills, the customers may know more scoop than you could ever find out by other means.Of course, as the others have said, his income should be verifiable by seeing two years of tax returns, personal and business.

That give you time to shop and find a solid deal, rather than feeling the need to buy something, simply because you've pulled the equity and are not paying interest on it. 

it feels like Christmas...now its time for some black friday shopping to find the right deal! 

It's a heck of a lot cheaper than HML money, but I would still encourage you to shop around, particularly with credit unions and smaller, local lenders.

You can't shop the rate.