In this episode of the South Florida Mortgage Report, we sit down with Gretchen Rowe, Head of National Condo Project Underwriting at one of the largest non-bank lenders in the U.S. — and one of the most influential voices shaping condo financing policy nationwide.If you work with condos (or are trying to buy one), this is required listening.We break down the latest Fannie Mae / Freddie Mac condo guideline changes — what just improved, what’s getting tighter, and how it will actually impact deals on the ground.What’s changed (the good):Insurance flexibility: acceptance of Actual Cash Value (ACV) policies — opening the door for deals that previously couldn’t get doneExpansion of no-review thresholds (1–4 units → up to 10 units)Easier path for new construction condos, especially in FloridaMore workable treatment of per-unit deductiblesWhat’s tightening (and why it matters):Increased scrutiny on reserves and reserve studiesStricter interpretation of critical repairs (water intrusion, structural issues, etc.)Ongoing shift from “limited oversight” → full project-level risk evaluationKey takeaway:Some deals just became possible again — but the overall direction is more discipline, not less. If a project isn’t well-run (reserves, insurance, maintenance), financing risk is rising.We also touch on:Why Florida is both ahead and behind in different areasHow insurance trends since 2024 are driving underwriting changesWhat loan officers and agents should be watching right nowIf you want to understand where condo lending is heading — and how to avoid surprises mid-transaction — this episode gives you the playbook.🎧 Subscribe for weekly updates:YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLCOa_zSrotiecbiomGKhTzASCBToYQUeaSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5QxG2PzPd3W9pJFqQnLAPSApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/south-florida-mortgage-report/id1834181574