[Tina]

Thank you. Where can I find this on HUD Handbook?

[Tina]

Does FHA Require Mortgage Loan Officers to Be W-2 Employees?

Can a Mortgage Broker with Mini-Correspondent Lending on VA Loans and Conventional Loans Become a Mini-Correspondent Lender on FHA Loans?

We are a mortgage broker and mini-correspondent lender on VA and Conventional loans with about a dozen strong direct lenders, but were told that we cannot be mini-correspondent lenders on FHA loans because our mortgage broker company is paying half of our NMLS licensed mortgage loan originators W2 and half 1099.

We are currently operating as a correspondent lender and have maintained a strong correspondent channel with approximately 11 lending partners for several years. However, we do not currently have our own FHA approval. As a result, our FHA loans are still being brokered through approved wholesale lenders.

Our understanding is that obtaining FHA approval may require all mortgage loan originators sponsored by the company to be classified and paid as W-2 employees. At present, more than half of our loan officers are compensated as 1099 independent contractors.

We are concerned that converting every loan officer from 1099 to W-2 status could cause some of them to leave the company. Because of that risk, we do not want to pursue FHA approval until we receive clear and authoritative guidance.

The Main Question Is:

• Can an FHA-approved mortgage company legally compensate some or all of its mortgage loan originators as 1099 independent contractors, or must every sponsored loan officer be a W-2 employee?
• We would especially appreciate input from mortgage compliance professionals, FHA-approved lenders, attorneys, or company owners who have dealt directly with this issue.
• We are looking for written guidance from HUD or FHA—not assumptions, informal interpretations, or information based solely on another company’s business practices.
• If FHA permits 1099 compensation under certain circumstances, what requirements or limitations would apply?

[Tina]

Can One Still Purchase a House If They Pay Past-Due Child Support?

Yes, a person may still buy a house if they owe child support. Past-due child support is not a total disqualifier.

It depends on how the arrears are reported and how the support was enforced.

The Lender Has to See if the Person Has:

• Only past-due child support
• Garnished wages
• A repayment agreement
• A judgment or lien
• Delinquency reported to the Treasury Offset Program.
• Arrears and support payments, in addition to a proposed mortgage payment
• The person’s child support payment, as ordered by the court, has to be included as a debt.
• Any separate payment toward the arrears can also be counted.

Child Support Arrears and Approval.

If the support enforcement agency has established a written repayment agreement and the person is making payments under that agreement, the person may still have an opportunity to be approved for the mortgage.e.

Let’s Say the Person Has to Pay:

• $600 per month for current child support
• $200 per month for the arrears of $12,000

The lender may have to consider the support and repayment relationship as a monthly payment of $800. The person has to qualify for the mortgage with this payment owing.

Fannie Mae recognizes child support as a paid debt for child support orders with a remaining term of ten months or longer. The lender must obtain the court order or equivalent documentation showing the required payment.

FHA recognizes child support payments as a recurring liability. The lender must review the court order, pay stubs, and documents showing the garnishment. FHA will use the greater of the payment under the current order or the garnishment amount.

VA requires that the veteran’s child support obligation be verified and considers it when determining eligibility. Documentation may include the divorce decree, separation agreement, the state payroll offset, the Leave and Earnings Statement, or pay-stub garnishment.

When Child Support Arrears Stop the Mortgage

An open child support order that has been converted to a court judgment or recorded lien is subject to more restrictive loan program rules.

For a Fannie Mae loan, open judgments and outstanding liens discovered through public records must typically be settled by the borrower at or before loan closing. The lender will need to document the lien release and ensure that the borrower has the funds to satisfy it.

HUD will consider the judgment to be satisfied if the borrower has done each of the following:

• Entered into a legally enforceable repayment agreement.
• Made at least three (3) scheduled monthly payments that were not made in advance of the due date to create the required three (3) month payment history.
• Determined that the repayment agreement will not be senior to the FHA mortgage.
• Fully qualified with the repayment agreement amount included in the debt-to-income ratio.

Similar to the FHA, the USDA requires that a non-federal judgment be fully satisfied or a repayment agreement be in place after the borrower has made three (3) scheduled monthly payments. In this case, the payment under the repayment agreement must be included in the debt ratio.

In the case of a VA loan, the judgment must be satisfied in full, or a repayment agreement that satisfies the judgment must be in place and fully documented, with an established history of timely payments.

The Borrower Is Subject to Federal Administrative Offset.

This is the most significant concern for a government-backed mortgage when delinquent child support is subject to federal administrative offset.

• Payments of delinquent child support are collected through the Treasury Offset Program by withholding certain federal payments, including tax refunds.
• Because child support payments are subject to administrative offset, federal assistance may be denied.
• USDA regulations specifically include administrative offset of child support payments as a basis for ineligibility.
• An applicant remains ineligible until the child support payments are made current, the full amount is paid, or the obligation is satisfied.
• In May 2026, the FHA is expected to introduce an automated solution to determine whether an applicant is subject to federal administrative offsets for delinquent child support.
• Under the proposal, if the child support obligation is no longer subject to an offset, the applicant will be eligible for assistance.
• According to HUD, the change is still in the proposal stage as of July 20, 2026, and is not a part of the 2026 Mortgagee Letter.

Steps to Follow to Achieve Eligibility

Acquire a Verified Child Support Account Statement

The borrower must provide a statement from the Child Support Enforcement agency that includes:

• the amount of the monthly obligation
• the amount of the arrears
• the amount of the arrears that are to be made
• the full payment history
• the amount of the garnishment
• the status of any judgments
• The Treasury Offset Program status. Absent other information, a credit report is expected to contain information sufficient for underwriting.

2. Formalize a Repayment Plan

• Simply stating that payments will begin is inadequate.
• The borrower must formalize a plan that is approved by the child support enforcement agency or the court.
• The agreement should include the remaining balance, the monthly payment amount, the date of acceptance, and the status of enforcement actions and liens.

3. Make the Required Payments on Time

The borrower must submit all current support payments and payments toward arrears by their respective due dates. Payments should come from a verified bank account or as withheld payroll, so the lender can confirm the source.

For programs that require proof of a three-payment history, the borrower cannot prepay three payments in one month and claim that as proof of a three-month history.

4. Remove the Treasury Offset Restriction

The borrower must engage with the state child support enforcement agency to resolve their status with the Treasury Offset Program.

Treasury will not engage directly with the borrower on the child support claim. The child support agency must send notice to the Treasury after the child support debt is paid or is no longer eligible for offset.

The borrower must also obtain a letter from the child support agency to confirm that offset is no longer applicable.

5. Resolve or Subordinate Any Judgment or Lien

Based on the loan program, the borrower may need to:

• Pay the judgment in full.
• Create a permitted repayment plan.
• Complete the required payment history.
• Obtain satisfaction or release.
• Obtain confirmation that the lien will not take priority over the new mortgage.

The title company must also verify that the new mortgage will have the required lien position.

6. Re-calculate the Debt-to-Income Ratio

After resolving the delinquency, the borrower must qualify with all required payments.

Let’s say the borrower’s gross monthly income is $6,000, and the borrower:

• Pays $600 a month in child support
• Pays $200 a month to support arrears
• Pays $500 a month for an auto loan and credit card debt
• Pays $2,100 per month for the proposed housing payment

The lender may assess $3,400 as the borrower’s total monthly commitments. This results in a debt-to-income ratio of nearly 56.7%, which may be considered too high by the lender and/or the loan program.

The borrower will either have to reduce other monthly debt, choose a less expensive home, increase qualifying income, or postpone the purchase until the financial conditions improve.

Borrowers with child support arrears should not believe homeownership is out of reach. Most borrowers qualify after they enter a formal repayment plan and after they make documented repayment plan payments.

The borrower may think homeownership is out of reach if child support arrears have caused an unresolved judgment, a recorded lien, an active garnishment, a debt-to-income ratio that’s too high, or a federal administrative offset. The appropriate answer will depend on the exact legal status of the child support debt and the mortgage program.

As you review the listed resources, consider the information presented in the screenshot and think critically about the types of debt you believe would be considered reportable or non-reportable. Think about reportable debts that are not usually considered part of the calculation of the debt-to-income ratio (DTI), and the impact of reportable debts on a borrower’s ability to qualify for a loan.

If you think about debts that fall into the category of reportable debts, what are some loans or financing options that you believe would be impacted?

7. Complete the Final Step

Consider the resources provided. Based on the screenshot, what duties or roles do you believe a borrower would engage in when fulfilling a financial obligation? Complete the final step by identifying the borrower’s role in meeting that obligation.

[Tina]

A Gift of Equity Purchase from Sellers in Chapter 13

Yes, this transaction may be possible, but unlike most parent-to-child sales, John and Jane are selling property while they are in active Chapter 13 bankruptcy, 4 months delinquent on payments to the trustee, and want to transfer $32,000 of equity to their son.

This Means That 2 Approvals are required:

1. Junior’s mortgage lender must approve the gift-of-equity purchase.
2. The sale, the family tie, the equity gift, and the allotment of the sale proceeds must be approved by the bankruptcy trustee and the bankruptcy court.

John and Jane should not sign a binding purchase and sale agreement, convey title, or receive sale proceeds until their bankruptcy attorney has reviewed the transaction as a whole.

First, the Gift-of-Equity calculation must be corrected.

The calculation should be $320,000 x 0.90, or $288,000.

Equity calculations should not be expressed as a percentage of 0.90, since that is less than 1%.

The property has the following estimated position:

• Appraised Value: $320,000
• Existing Mortgage: $180,000
• Total Gross Equity: $140,000
• Proposed Gift of Equity: $32,000
• Gross Equity Remaining for John and Jane: $108,000

The $108,000 is not the total cash proceeds. It will be reduced by the bankruptcy court-mandated payment to the trustee, additional liens, conveyance costs, estate costs, and possible loss on the sale.

The Purchase Contract Should Probably Show $320,000, Not $288,000

This is likely the most critical aspect of the transaction.

We typically would see the following for a cleaner gift-of-equity structure.

• Purchase price: $320,000
• Gift of equity from John and Jane: $32,000
• Junior’s mortgage loan: $288,000
• Cash received by John and Jane before expenses: $288,000
• Mortgage payoff: $180,000
• Gross remaining proceeds before expenses: $108,000

A gift of equity is when a seller provides a buyer with equity in the form of a credit. Fannie Mae acknowledges a gift of equity for the purchase of a principal residence and allows a gift of equity for the down payment, closing costs, and prepaid items. Gifts of equity must be outlined in a gift letter and in the settlement statement.

Potential Issues with a $288,000 Contract

For most conventional purchase loans, the loan-to-value ratio is based on the lesser of the purchase price and the appraised value.

Let’s say the contract states $288,000, and Junior is looking for a 90% conventional loan. The lender would conclude that the purchase price for the LTV is $288,000, and the maximum 90% loan amount would be $259,200. Therefore, the down payment would be $28,800.

Even though the property appraised for $320,000, a $288,000 first mortgage would be restricted under the traditional lower-of-price-or-value calculation. Assuming John and Jane also provided Junior with a gift of equity in the amount of the $28,800 down payment, the buyer’s lender would provide a loan of $259,200, and after John and Jane paid the $180,000 mortgage, they would have approximately $79,200 in cash remaining.

If John and Jane should receive around $288,000 before expenses, the contract would show a $320,000 price with a $32,000 gift-of-equity credit, disclosed separately. That structure would need approval from the lender, the bankruptcy lawyer, the title company, and the court.

Step-by-Step ProcessStep 1: Contact the Bankruptcy Attorney Before Writing the Contract

The bankruptcy attorney for John and Jane will need to be contacted first.

A Chapter 13 debtor has some ability to sell their own property. However, if it is a sale outside the ordinary course of business, it will still need to be noticed and approved by the court.

The Attorney Should Be Asked:

• Is the condominium still part of the bankruptcy estate?
• Was it claimed as an exempt asset?
• Does the confirmed plan allow or restrict a sale?
• Would the proceeds have to be paid to the bankruptcy trustee?
• Would state homestead exemptions cover any of the proceeds?
• If so, could John and Jane use the protected proceeds to buy another principal residence?
• Would the four-month delinquency automatically trigger a motion by the trustee to dismiss?

The sale also cannot be used to remove property or equity from the bankruptcy estate if it is not disclosed.

Step 2: Obtain All Current Payoff and Bankruptcy Figures

Use caution when using the estimated Chapter 13 balance of $40,000 as the actual payout amount.

John and Jane’s lawyer should acquire:

• the trustee’s current payment ledger,
• the exact amount due for the 4-month delinquency,
• the list of creditor claims allowed,
• the current remaining plan base,
• the plan completion amount,
• the remaining bankruptcy attorney fees,
• the Bankruptcy Trustee fees and/or commission,
• the remaining Priority claims, be they Support or Taxes,
• the secured claims paid through the plan,
• the current mortgage payoff,
• the HOA or condo liens,
• the property tax,
• the remaining Judgment liens, or other Federal tax or Title liens.

The remaining plan payments do not address the amounts the Trustee or the Court may require after a sale of the property. Chapter 13 Unsecured Creditors must receive at least the same amount as they would under a Chapter 7 liquidation. A confirmed plan may be modified.

Step 3: Remedy the Four-Month Deadbeat Trustee Situation, Without Delay

Four delinquent Chapter 13 Plan payments are a major concern.

Failing to meet the confirmed plan obligations may constitute a material default and may lead to either dismissal or conversion of the case. Federal bankruptcy guidance states that failure to make required plan payments will likely result in either dismissal of the case or conversion to Chapter 7.

The bankruptcy attorney may provide one of the following options to solve the issue:

• Make the four missed payments before the sale is requested.
• Enter into a cure agreement with the trustee.
• File a motion to modify the Chapter 13 plan.
• Request temporary abatement or other permitted relief.
• Request the trustee to allow the arrears to be paid at closing.

Because of the pending motion to dismiss the case, John and Jane need to solve this issue before the scheduled closing date to make the court more willing and able to approve the sale.

Preapprove Junior Before Filing the Motion to Sell

Before John and Jane spend money on a request to the court, Junior preapproved with a properly underwritten mortgage.

Items the lender must assess include:

• Junior’s credit report
• Junior’s Income and employment history
• Junior’s debts
• Junior’s bank statements and reserves
• Junior’s future plans for owner occupancy
• Child support and other obligations
• The condominium’s financial and insurance condition
• HOA dues and special assessments
• The condominium project’s loan program eligibility
• The non-arm’s-length family relationship
• The proposed gift of equity
• The sellers’ Chapter 13 bankruptcy

Due to project issues such as insurance, assessments, special assessments, owner-occupancy, and other project issues, a condominium can potentially satisfy the requirements of one loan program and not another.

Step 5: Choose Junior’s Loan Program

Conventional Gift-of-Equity Option

Fannie Mae provides the family with a gift of equity to finance a primary or secondary residence. The equity gift can cover the entire down payment, provide equity to pay closing costs, or cover advances. The equity gift cannot be considered a financial reserve. A signed gift letter, along with the equity gift settlement, is to be presented.

An Elementary Example of a Conventional Loan May Be:

• Price of the home: $320,000
• Gift of equity: $32,000
• Junior’s loan: $288,000
• Loan-to-value: 90%

Junior’s Other Closing Funds

• Depends on lender credits, seller-paid costs, prepaid taxes and insurance, and other closing costs.
• Junior will qualify for the $288,000 loan.

FHA Gift-of-Equity Option

FHA allows family members to use equity credit as a gift when one family member sells a house to another. FHA usually has limitations on certain identity-of-interest transactions. However, the higher-financing restriction can be overlooked when a borrower purchases the principal residence of another family member as the borrower’s new principal residence.

FHA Lender Would Still Need to Confirm:

• Junior will use the condo as his principal residence.
• The gift is real, and there is no requirement to repay the gift.
• The family member is a relative.
• The value of the gift.
• The condo is eligible for FHA insurance.
• The gift from the bankruptcy estate has been approved by the court.

Even though the FHA allows a gift to be used as a source of mortgage funding, the court may still limit the gift to $32,000.

Step 6: Get a Separate Appraisal

This sale is between a parent and their son, which makes the appraisal even more important.

The Bankruptcy Attorney May Require:

• A full separate appraisal
• A market analysis
• Recent sales of comparable condos
• A description of how the estate will benefit from this sale
• Evidence supporting that $320,000 is a defensible value.
• An estimation of the sale price

The trustee will likely take a close look at this sale because Junior is a related buyer rather than an unrelated buyer.

We need to determine how to respond to the question: Why should John and Jane gift $32,000 worth of estate equity, given that they are four months overdue on their bankruptcy payment obligation?

The Court, in This Case, Could Do Any of the Following:

• Allow the entire $32,000 equity gift.
• Allow a smaller amount.
• Demand that Junior pay the full fair market value.
• Demand that the gift amount be paid to the trustee.
• Demand that all nonexempt funds pay the Chapter 13 plan
• Allow the transaction to close.

Step 7: Write the Contract with the Proper Contingencies

The contract must be drafted by an experienced real estate attorney or an agent working with the bankruptcy attorney.

The Contract Must Include the Following:

• $320,000 purchase price
• $32,000 gift of equity
• Relationship of the parties
• Sellers are in Chapter 13
• The transaction must be approved by the bankruptcy court.
• The transaction must be approved by Junior’s financing.
• The transaction must be approved by appraisal and title.
• The condo must meet the lender’s requirements.
• All proceeds are to be paid as directed by the bankruptcy court.
• No side agreements, no repayment obligations

The contract must not require John and Jane to complete the transaction if the bankruptcy court does not approve the gift.

Step 8: Prepare an Estimated Closing Disclosure

The title company must prepare an estimated closing disclosure prior to the filing of the motion.

The Preliminary Calculation May Look Like This:

The purchase price is $320,000. With the $32,000 gift of equity, the actual consideration to the sellers is approximately $288,000.

The Title Company Would Pay $288,000, Less the Following:

• $180,000 mortgage payoff
• Property taxes
• HOA Balances and Assessments
• Title and Settlement Expenses
• Transfer or Recording Charges
• Real Estate Commissions
• Seller Attorney Fees
• Other Liens
• The amount to be paid to the Chapter 13 Trustee

John and Jane may not expect to receive $108,000 or have $68,000 after paying an estimated $40,000 bankruptcy balance.

Step 9: File a Motion to Sell With the Bankruptcy Court

The Motion Would Usually Contain the Following:

• Identity of the Buyer
• Buyer’s Relationship to John and Jane
• Appraisal
• Purchase Price
• Gift of Equity
• Mortgage Payoff
• Closing Costs
• Net Proceeds
• Payment to the Trustee
• Amount Retained by John and Jane
• Allowable Purpose of Retained Funds
• Intentions Regarding Chapter 13 Case (Complete, Modify, or Dismiss)

All creditors and the trustee shall be given notice and an opportunity to be heard. Local rules will dictate the timing and required documents for the motion.

Step 10: Get a Detailed Court Order Before Closing

A court order should be detailed enough for the title company.

It Should Include:

• Permission to sell the condominium
• Permission to sell to Junior
• Approval or denial of the $32,000 gift
• Payment of the current mortgage and liens
• Payment of the Chapter 13 trustee
• Treatment of the delinquent trustee payments
• Court order on whether the proceeds must be held in escrow
• Court order on how much John and Jane may retain
• Court order on whether the retained amount is still exempt
• Court order on whether the Chapter 13 plan must be modified
• Court order on whether the trustee will allow the case to be closed

The title company must send the required bankruptcy funds to the trustee. The order must limit the amount of funds sent to John and Jane.

Step 11: Complete Junior’s Purchase

At Closing:

• Junior executes the mortgage documents.
• The lender funds the approved mortgage.
• The Closing Disclosure or settlement statement reflects the gift of equity.
• The title company pays the mortgage and closes the other liens and closing costs.
• The trustee receives the required court amount.
• The remaining court-ordered funds are released to John and Jane.
• Junior takes the title to the condominium.

The parents must not receive the funds and decide how much to send to the trustee. The court order and settlement statement must govern distribution.

Step 12: Decide Whether to Complete or Dismiss Chapter 13

John and Jane likely will not want to dismiss their Chapter 13 case following the sale.

Completing the Plan and Receiving a Discharge

Using the Court-Approved Proceeds May Lead to a Better Long-Term Outcome By:

• Curing the delinquency
• Paying the trustee the required amount
• Completing or modifying the plan
• Receiving a Chapter 13 discharge
• Keeping the court-allowed exempt proceeds

A discharge may allow a better future timeline to obtain a conventional mortgage than a dismissal.

If Going Through Fannie Mae, Applicants Usually Have to Wait:

• Two years after a Chapter 13 discharge
• Four years after a Chapter 13 dismissal

A two-year wait after a dismissal may only be justified if documented extenuating circumstances are provided. (Fannie Mae Selling Guide)

Voluntary Dismissal of the Case

Under federal law, a Chapter 13 debtor may request a voluntary dismissal if the case has not been converted from a different chapter. Dismissal of the case will end the bankruptcy case, and dismissal will not discharge the case. Creditors will be able to reassert their claims.

If John and Jane are Considering Dismissal, They May want to Think About:

• which debts they will still owe
• whether dismissal will allow creditors to assert claims again
• whether judgments or garnishments will return
• whether creditors will be able to claim the sale proceeds
• whether their mortgage application waiting period will change
• whether dismissal will impact a future bankruptcy filing

Can John and Jane Buy Another Home Right Away?

Most likely not with new traditional financing, given the situation. According to FHA regulations, debtors still in a Chapter 13 case can obtain a home mortgage after the repayment plan has been in place for at least 12 months if the debtor has made all plan payments promptly and has received permission from the bankruptcy court to close the mortgage.

John and Jane have been late on payments to the bankruptcy trustee for the last four months. Making the payments would perform the financial contract, but it will not remove the late payments.

The bankruptcy court or a third-party lender may require a satisfactory payment history, completion of the bankruptcy, or an additional seasoning period.

They may be court-approved to use exempt proceeds from the condo sale to purchase another property for cash, but buying a replacement property while the Chapter 13 is still active should be done with extreme caution and in coordination with their attorney and trustee. Chapter 13 debtors are warned to exercise extreme caution when incurring new debts, as doing so without notice to the trustee can have serious consequences.

Gift Tax Analysis of the $32,000 Gift

Federal tax may treat a sale of property to a family member at a price that is less than the fair market value as a partial sale and a partial gift.

For 2026, the annual federal gift-tax exclusion is $19,000 per donor and per recipient.

If John and Jane transfer equal shares of the property to Junior and each gifts $16,000 of the equity, the gift to Junior will not exceed the gift tax exclusion. However, due to other gift tax considerations and Junior’s spouse, the outcome may change.

Because the sale will be partially a gift, Junior’s tax basis may be affected. The family should retain a CPA or tax attorney to review the Sale and Gift Agreement.

Most Viable Approach for the Family

The most defensible approach would be:

1. Immediately pay all four delinquent trustee payments.
2. Obtain the trustee’s official claim payoff and complete claims.
3. Preapprove Junior and confirm the condominium meets the requirements.
4. Order a $320,000 fee simple, unrestricted, and completely independent appraisal.
5. Draft the sale agreement at $320,000 with a completely disclosed gift of equity for $32,000.
6. Make the sale agreement contingent upon approval of the bankruptcy court.
7. Request that the court authorize the sale, the gift, and dictate how proceeds will be allocated.
8. Pay the mortgage, closing costs, and the bankruptcy amount ordered by the court directly via the title company.
9. Make every effort to complete the Chapter 13 plan and receive a discharge; do not voluntarily dismiss the Chapter 13 plan.
10. Only utilize the remaining court-approved exempt funds for John and Jane’s next home.

Uncertainties exist surrounding whether: 1. mortgage guidelines will permit Junior to receive a gift of equity (generally, they do), and 2. the bankruptcy court will allow John and Jane, as Delinquent Chapter 13 Debtors, to transfer $32,000 to their son when the creditors are still owed money. The answer to these questions will lie with John and Jane’s bankruptcy attorney, the Trustee, and the bankruptcy judge.

In Chapter 13, debtors have more control over their post-petition right to property and funds than under other bankruptcy filings.

[Tina]

The following establishments are recommended for sourcing large crab legs and lobster in Chicagoland and Milwaukee. Please contact each location in advance, as inventory changes daily.

changes daily.

Chicagoland Options:

Wabash Seafood Co. – Chicago

• Address: 2257 W Hubbard St, Chicago, IL
• Contact : 312-733-5070

This location is a seafood wholesaler and supplier. Inventory changes frequently, so please inquire directly about current availability and pricing.

Supreme Lobster & Seafood

• Address: 220 North Ave, Villa Park, IL
• Contact #: 630-834-3474

For those located in the western suburbs, this supplier is a reputable source for seafood and lobster and is well known throughout the Chicago area. Bensenville

Fortune Fish & Gourmet – Bensenville

• Address: 1068 S Thorndale Ave, Bensenville, IL
• Phone: 630-860-7100

More of a true seafood distributor. They handle fresh and frozen seafood and serve restaurants, hotels, country clubs, and specialty food customers. Best for larger/group orders, but call to confirm whether they will sell direct or require a business/restaurant account.

Chicago Wholesale Meats / Northwest Meats – Chicago

• Phone: 312-733-1418

Wholesale king crab legs and other seafood are available for restaurants and bulk purchasers. This supplier is suitable for group or large-volume orders.

Dirk’s Fish & Gourmet Shop – Chicago

Dirk’s Fish & Gourmet Shop is a retail seafood store known for high-quality seafood. Good retail option if they want quality seafood without needing a wholesale account. They are known as a premium Chicago fish and seafood shop and also offer shipping.

Best Milwaukee Options

Empire Fish & Seafood Market – Milwaukee

• Phone: 414-259-1330

Empire Fish is a leading seafood market in Milwaukee. Recent reviews note crab specials on Tuesdays and a wide selection, including Alaskan king crab legs, snow crab, and Maine lobster tails.

St. Paul Fish Company – Milwaukee Public Market

• Phone: 414-220-8383

This location is also recommended for retail seafood purchases.

What I Would Tell Them to Ask

When You Call, Ask:

Ask about the availability of jumbo king crab legs, super colossal king crab, large snow crab clusters, live lobsters, or large cold-water lobster tails. Also, request details on size per pound, pricing, and minimum order requirements. When ordering crab, specify whether you want king, snow, or Dungeness. For lobster, indicate if you prefer live Maine lobster, whole cooked lobster, raw tails, or cooked tails. For group orders, frozen products are usually acceptable if they are flash-frozen and handled properly.

Short Referral Answer to Post

Why Maine’s $1 Billion Lobster Industry Could Be At Risk | Big Business | Business Insider

Consider Wabash Seafood (Chicago), Supreme Lobster (Villa Park), Fortune Fish & Gourmet (Bensenville), or Empire Fish (Milwaukee) for large crab and lobster. For retail purchases, Dirk’s Fish (Chicago) and St. Paul Fish Company (Milwaukee Public Market) are recommended. Please call ahead, as inventory varies daily.

[Tina]

Forgot to ask what do they mean by net worth requirements? Does equity in your personal home count as net worth by state mortgage licensing regulators and the NMLS? Does New Hampshire, Vermont, and Rhode Island allow the mortgage broker to work from home? Remote MLOs? Can you buy an existing mortgage broker who closed shop or do you always have to create and start a new mortgage broker? Can you rent a Regis office suite and make that a home office? Can you have a Regis office with a net branch and also have your own mortgage broker company in states the mortgage net branch is not licensed?

[Tina]

I am interested in opening a new NMLS mortgage broker company licensed in the following states: 1. New Hampshire, 2. Vermont, 3. Rhode Island. Can you please advise on if any of these three states require brick and mortar, have a distance requirement between a brick and mortar office to personal residence, what are the requirements with regards to the principal, net worth requirements, NMLS and state cost, fees, and bonding requirements, how much would a NMLS licensing consultant charge to set up the NMLS licensing for the new mortgage broker and individual (I am already licensed individually on all those three states), and a tentative timeframe from start of the NMLS licensing process until I get the final NMLS state licenses in those states. Thank you in advance.

[Tina]

What is going on with President Donald Trump’s approval rating? I heard Trump’s approval rating is plunging to 36% from 50%. That is a sudden drop but with the recent developments with the Trump administration, his approval rating is expected to deteriorate further. With Trump firing his Homeland Secretary Kristi Noem due to the two controversial deaths by ICE agents in Minnesota, and firing his Attorney General Pam Bondi, many MAGA die hard fans and supporters are turning against Trump. Dozens of Republican and MAGA journalists and podcasters have started turning on Donald Trump. Former Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene has turned on Trump big time. Former Fox Journalist and Current Podcaster Megan Kelly, Tucker Carlson, Alex Jones are some of the die hard Trump Supporters who has turned on him. As for myself, I was a die hard Donald Trump fan and strong MAGA SUPPORTER. However, Trump’s arrogance and his bragging about himself that he is the one and only is beginning to turn me off. Can you please explain more about why so many Americans are turning on Trump?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zTTgW-t9FXI

[Tina]

In my honest opinion, I think Kamala Harris is the World’s dumbest politician with absolutely zero accomplishments and very high ambitions that she will never be able to master. Kamala Harris never had a job in the private sector, never had a managerial role in a business, does not know how to run a business, and has slept with horney old men to get ahead in politics. Harris does not have any sense of humor, is not liked, and most Americans are really surprised and are shaking their heads on how she got elected the District Attorney of San Francisco, California Attorney General, United States Senator for California, and Vice President of The United States of America. Can you please tell us more about Kamala Harris, the most incompetent politician and very unliked person with a single digit IQ and extremely high dreams? What are her political ambitions? How can she spend $1.5 billion dollars on her 2024 presidential election and not win a single state?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f3yRKZM5yJY