When you are working small deals like this it become tougher to hire out more help.

A lot of fraud can be prevented with two things, one of which is tougher than the other: 1. common sense and an eye for these things and 2. trust but verify.

@Bob Landers, this is actually tougher than @Bjorn Ahlblad states. 

It was a catch twenty two.....Lower home prices.....but tougher loan requirements.....those with CASH were the ones that actually "cleaned up" when they "waited for the recession".

The tougher question is...

unlicensed activity because its so prevalent these days is just starting to hit the radar screens of the regulators its going to get tougher..

Of course, paying the HML rates makes it a little tougher to make deals work.

So as you stated, take it as a lesson learned, but there are going to be much tougher choices ahead where you will need to be direct. 

If you're looking for a 30 year fixed and 80% LTV for non-owner-occupied, that might be tougher to find.

If you can't get a response, I'd find another broker, he may be too busy and wants to hold on as long as he can.In general, lenders are getting tougher on underwriting since low rates don't leave much room for margin of error, so want monthly updates on I&E during the process, maybe larger reserves also.Right now in OR, my biggest issue is with appraisers.  3 years ago when banks wanted apt debt, I thought they overpriced stuff, now they're going in the opposite direction.