I spent more than ten years as a mortgage lender before I sold real estate, including time as a producing branch manager. That background changes how I work a deal. I can read a preapproval and tell you whether it's real, spot the debt ratio or appraisal issue that's going to blow up in week five, and translate what a rate lock or a construction draw actually means for your money. Most buyers get handed a payment number and no explanation of how ...