Portfolio lenders can use discretion, so they can offer more custom solutions and products.  

They also may have determined when they raise prices 20%, they lose less than 10% of customers.

They can charge the 200 or pad it a bit to 250 or 300 to all customers....but at least we know the set price. 

I have a few of those stories where great things happened to my clients/customers, and the rewards I get from an emotional standpoint, are what true "success" is all about.

The company I used to work for sold software to real estate agents so they pushed me to get my license to better understand our customer base.

Depends on what type of asset it is.Retail the buyer as options could go drive the area,walk in and out of the businesses as a customer,etc.They could not talk to the tenants in a buyer mode or disclose the property was for sale just be a casual observer or looker.The property management company could coordinate a more intensive inspection with the buyer if they were under contract to purchase.A lot really just depends on the circumstances.

I prefer custom contracts for the individual deal then modified boiler plate contracts.

The business version of childhood friends.. anyway,, Hey if referrals and the customer experience aspect is what you are focusing on might I suggest the book called "Whats Your Purple Goldfish" the premise of the book is to do small weird things that dont really cost much, but that have an impact. typically the smaller the better.

If you're doing a mail merge (custom name is going to be in the letter) then checkout iti direct, they are in Pasadena and have low rates.

Even better, own it as Steve mentioned, but if you have those due on sale mortgage issues, a lender won't harp about a sale contract.You may need to look to local custom as well, you may want a durable power of attorney to deal with contractors and suppliers, insurance matters, code requirements and permits.