Though it might not seem plausible, I think the "creative class" is a large player in the Portland jobs market.Buildings keep going up catering to "creative companies", and damn if they don't fill up all the offices.I myself have a desk in a rehabbed building in the bakery blocks, and it's chock full of lots of small companies no-one has ever heard of.  

We're a local private lender, so perhaps biased, but agree with his assessment that the local sharp shooters (local/regional funds) are better positioned to know the lending landscape than a national player.

Hit up Net Worth and New Western, they are the biggest players in Houston.

Building my knowledge for where newbies should find simple resources like state approved wholesale purchase and assignment contracts.Gain valuable contacts from networkingBecome familiar with local resources and players.

I used to have a chart on the wall showing all the big players, their minimum balance paydown to recast, and their fee.

Conversations with [more or equally] experienced players in this field are priceless when you're making a decision with hundreds of thousands (give or take) of dollars on the line.I'm happy to provide the name and phone number of the person I know best there.

Regardless of what the federal government does, I think we are looking at a Japanese type economy in the next 20 years.

I have two that I alternate between because they both have useful products for our business and I like the players on their team.

Small time player here.

I like hearing from some of the satisfied small players as those are the ones after my own heart.