# Dean Vlamis: Chicago Mortgage Broker > Explore market insights, investment commentary, and financial perspectives from Dean Vlamis with articles, updates, and videos\. Generated by Yoast SEO v28.7, this is an llms.txt file, meant for consumption by LLMs. ## Pages - [Mortgage Broker vs Bank Chicago](https://deanvlamis.com/mortgage-broker-vs-bank-chicago/) - [FHA vs Conventional Loans Chicago](https://deanvlamis.com/fha-vs-conventional-loans-chicago/) - [Chicago Mortgage Broker](https://deanvlamis.com/chicago-mortgage-broker/) - [FHA Loans Chicago](https://deanvlamis.com/fha-loans-chicago/) - [Conventional Loans Chicago](https://deanvlamis.com/conventional-loans-chicago/) ## Posts - [When the Condo Deal Gets Declined Everywhere Else](https://deanvlamis.com/non-warrantable-condo-financing-chicago/): Since Fannie Mae tightened condo review requirements in August 2023, more Chicago deals are getting flagged\. Non\-warrantable does not mean no options\. Here is how a relationship\-driven lender navigates what others decline, and protects buyers before issues surface at underwriting\. - [Move\-Up Buyers Can Qualify for a New Home Without Selling First](https://deanvlamis.com/move-up-buyer-qualify-without-selling-first/): Move\-up buyers often get declined not because of income problems, but because lenders count both mortgages against qualifying ratios at once\. Portfolio lenders can exclude the existing mortgage, no bridge loan, no contingency, no extra cost\. - [Asset Depletion Can Help Self\-Employed Borrowers Qualify for a Mortgage](https://deanvlamis.com/self-employed-asset-depletion-mortgage/): Asset depletion lending lets self\-employed borrowers qualify using verified assets instead of tax return income\. No universal formula applies, and eligible asset types vary by investor\. Here is what to know before you calculate anything on your own\. - [Chicago Multi\-Unit Lending Starts With a Smarter Conversation](https://deanvlamis.com/chicago-multi-unit-mortgage-financing-two-flat-three-flat/): Chicago two\-flats and three\-flats offer a real path to building wealth, but multi\-unit financing comes with rules most buyers never hear\. Legal unit status, FHA self\-sufficiency tests, and rental income modeling all need to happen before the contract is signed\. - [Chicago Condo Buyers Are Navigating a Stricter Financing Standard](https://deanvlamis.com/fannie-mae-condo-review-chicago/): Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac eliminated limited condo review on August 3, 2024, making full project review mandatory for all conventional financing\. Chicago buyers under contract face stricter building documentation requirements\. Here is what changed, which buildings carry the most risk, and what to do before underwriting surfaces a problem\. ## Optional - [Sitemap index](https://deanvlamis.com/sitemap_index.xml)