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Like ice cubes melting in the sun, the 2008 mortgage meltdown has drenched the homeownership dreams of millions of Americans. Tightened mortgage guidelines, increasing foreclosures and rising interest rates have helped to create a tense, challenging and sometimes daunting industry environment. * For some mortgage professionals, particularly those in the subprime field, the meltdown has effectively washed away their business and forced them to close their doors. For those who steered clear of subprime or have been savvy enough to ride out the storm, it has been a challenging new world, with brand-new rules and opportunities-and a return to a more stringent approach to mortgage lending. * We've all watched as government loans insured by the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) have...
