Loanwright Blog

What the May 1, 2026 version of VA Pamphlet 26-7 Chapter 12 actually changes about Minimum Property Requirements (Topic 1's removal of subtopics g and i for Detached Improvements and SAH RLC Jurisdiction), the 43-Topic MPR list as it stands in the new chapter, the high-frequency catches brokers should know going in, and how to recognize what is genuinely new versus what carries over from the 2019 chapter revisions.

How VA appraisals work in 2026, including the WebLGY ordering workflow, the SAR-to-NOV review chain in Pamphlet 26-7 Chapters 10 and 11, the alternative valuation waterfall under Circular 26-22-13, the Connecticut Planning Regions update under Circular 26-25-11, and the appraisal-bias oversight procedures under Circular 26-23-5.

How pre-qualification and pre-approval differ in 2026, including the TRID Loan Estimate trigger under 12 CFR 1026.19(e), AUS underwriting, documentation requirements, what each letter does and does not guarantee, and the broker-side workflow that keeps both in good standing.

How VA loan assumptions work in 2026, including the approval requirement under 38 CFR § 36.4309, the two stacking-order pathways from Circular 26-23-10, the $300 processing fee plus regional locality variance, the new Form 26-10291 entitlement acknowledgement, secondary borrowing rules, and release of liability under § 36.4326.

How the VA funding fee works in 2026, including the current rate window per Circular 26-23-6 Exhibit B, the exemption categories under 38 CFR § 36.4509, and the refund procedure under Circular 26-23-19.

A practical guide for brokers evaluating Calyx Point alternatives and planning a migration. Covers data export realities, modern LOS options, the Calyx Path question, and a step-by-step migration framework.

A realistic look at where AI is and is not useful in the mortgage workflow today, covering guideline search, document extraction, condition analysis, and what the major platforms are building, without the hype.

An honest comparison of LOS options for brokers priced out of Encompass, covering ARIVE, Calyx, AcutisLOS, and Floify with cost, feature, and workflow tradeoffs for small to mid-size shops.

Practical workflows for tracking underwriting conditions from issuance through clearance, including common PTD and PTC conditions, processor handoffs, and how digital tools reduce cycle times.

Practical guide to USDA household income limits including adjusted annual income calculations, property eligibility lookup, and common pitfalls that cause denials, referencing USDA HB-1-3555.

How Freddie Mac condo eligibility differs from Fannie Mae, covering project review types, ineligible project characteristics, and reciprocal reviews per Guide Chapter 5701, updated for 2026 Bulletin changes.

Step-by-step guide to Fannie Mae gift fund rules including eligible donors, documentation requirements, and common audit findings, referencing Selling Guide B3-4.3.

A plain-language guide to FHA appraisal requirements under HUD Handbook 4000.1. Covers property standards, minimum property requirements, repair conditions, and common deal-killers.

How to build and use a pre-submission file readiness checklist that catches missing documents, flags guideline issues, and reduces underwriting conditions.