[2manyrocks]

Credit scores factor into this. Some of the people who have "good" credit scores, didn't get the best rates because credit standards have tightened up so much. I saw something recently about credit scores and the speaker said some things I didn't know before. He said that the longest held credit card count more towards the score than a newer one. Also said taking out new cards and cancelling old ones could hurt the score. Missing payments is a score killer. I'd have to look for my notes on this for the rest of what he said, but generally he said if you are planning to take out a mortgage in the next few months, to really pay attention to what you are doing with your credit cards and other debt.

If anyone is interested, I'll try to find my notes on this.

I've dealt with appraisers for the last several years, and you'd be shocked at how few of them come close to a realistic appraisal. If you have comparable sales you want them to consider, better point them out. Otherwise, they may pick a property two miles from you that isn't comparable, and use it as a comparision just because they have it and it's convenient to them to use it and not dig for true comparisions.