Go to your local council and school board meetings, never pass up an opportunity to have lunch with a lender or someone in a related profession, join your school's alumni program, etc.

@Francis AI have never used Costco before but did have great success with Zillow.http://www.zillow.com/mortgage-rates/Beware you will likely have to submit most of your docs online and may never meet the lender, but you will get a very attractive rate and program, so if a do it yourself isn't for you, then find someone local.Hope this helps!

So we are looking into programs for renovations and free credit consultations. 

He's currently trying to qualify for a program to reduce the principal balance owned.

I used my low APR Frequent Flyer Miles credit card, got some miles out of the deal and paid one months interest on carrying the $22K.For  Superstorm Sandy it was a little different because the insurance money was coming from National Flood Insurance Program / FEMA.  

Only program that was even mentioned to me was a stated income 30% down 700 FICO loan. which to me honestly doesn't sound appealing.

@Travis MorgensternTypically a mortgage company, bank, and/or a mortgage broker helps clients find the best loan program and rate so they would be termed the originator.After you close on purchase or refi the loan is packaged and sold to either Freddie or Fannie and which ever company purchases the loan is the loan servicer where you send your monthly payment. 

My guess is "personal reasons" have affected her credit, ie. tax liens with ex, or an old bankruptcy (BK), unpaid child support, delinquent on student loans.Anything 'government' related (child support, student loans, tax liens, VA stuff) MUST be resolved before qualifying with a typical Freddie/Fannie program.

Has anyone used a program called RecordEASE for obtaining property records?

I am only on installment 4 here on BP.Another thing to keep in mind is that with some programs, if you want more than $1MM/$2MM in liability, it is easy to bump your underline liability limit to $2MM/$4MM and not even obtain umbrella coverage.