Hello!  I am searching for a list of Direct Endorsement Certified
Lenders in Phoenix, AZ and Scottsdale, AZ.  I have searched the
internet and have also contacted the Housing of Urban development in
Phoenix and they cannot seem to help me.

Can you help?

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Clarification of Question by executive-ga on 12 Dec 2002 15:36 PST

Dear Sublime-ga:

Do you think you would be able to help me find a list of Direct
Endorsement Certified Underwriters in the Phoenix, AZ area?  I will
pay you $20 more.

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Request for Question Clarification by sublime1-ga on 13 Dec 2002 19:59 PST

executive...

Nothing personal, but the prospect of cold-calling 231
lenders and wading through the receptionists and the 
automated messages in order to reach someone to whom I
then have to explain what seems to be the rather obscure
program of 'direct endoresement', just doesn't excite
me at all. It would probably take at least a day to 
contact them all, and then another 2 to follow up with
messages left, etc. Heck, the first one I contacted 
said the person who 'might' know something about it 
would likely be out sick for several days. I can't 
really block out enough time to do justice to the task,
and I wouldn't feel good about the partial results which
are likely to occur. Thanks very much anyway.

executive...

http://www.hud.gov/progdesc/direct-r.cfm
On the above webpage at the HUD website, they note:
"To learn more about Direct Endorsement, homebuyers
 should contact a HUD-approved lender. For a searchable
 listing of approved lenders nationwide
 http://www.hud.gov/ll/code/llslcrit.html
 or consult a HUD-approved housing counseling agency
 (for information on nearby agencies, call the Housing
 Counseling Clearinghouse toll free at 1-888-HOME-4US
 (1-888-466-3487) ), or call the FHA Mortgage Hotline
 (1-800-CALLFHA). Detailed--Lenders interested in
 participating in the program should get the Single
 Family Direct Endorsement Program Handbook (HUD
 Housing Handbook 4000.4), which is available on the
 Internet from HUDCLIPS (see below) or by mail from HUD.
 http://www.hudclips.org

I used the searchable listing page:
http://www.hud.gov/ll/code/llslcrit.html

..and came up with this list of 231 lenders (though you
may want to specify different search criteria than I did):
http://www.hud.gov/ll/code/getllst.cfm?lndrnme=&lndrcity=Phoenix&state=AZ&ldrtp=05&aafb=all_areas&groupsize=10&pbox1=on&pbox2=on&sobox1=on&sobox2=on&sobox3=on&sobox4=on&sobox5=on&sobox6=on&startseq=-1&called_by=llslcrit

Sadly, just because they are HUD-approved lenders does
not mean they've applied and qualified for the Direct
Endorsement program. A call to HUD's toll-free number
verified that, although they process the applications 
for this distinction, they don't bother to keep a list
of those who are certified "since the lenders might
change their minds in two months". I was referred to 
2 housing counseling agencies in Phoenix, who referred
me to the local HUD office (using the number for Admin).
HUD admin referred me to 'reception' who wasn't there,
and then to 'Single Family Housing' at 602-379-7132,
who wasn't there either. I didn't leave a message.
I then tried the first lender on the list of 231, and
the receptionist had no idea what I was talking about.
She checked for several minutes and determined that the
person who might have some idea about it is out sick
for awhile.

I've given up. Sorry, but about the only recourse that
seems available is to contact the prospective lenders
individually and see if they're certified (if you can
find someone who knows what 'direct endorsement' means.

sublime1-ga