Findura did $189 million in commercial sales/finance in 2001; $175 million in investment sales; and $14 million in land production. Like other mortgage banking firms, R.J. Twitty is a correspondent for national and international lenders.

"Our sources are telling us that there are compelling reasons to believe that interest rates should begin a gradual increase, beginning immediately," Findura tells GlobeSt.com. "This theory is reinforced by our client base who are aggressively pursuing the placement of long-term permanent debt, given 10-year Treasury rates at under 5%."

He says underwriting "has been a challenge, especially given the increase in insurance premiums, lagging concessions in the multifamily arena, consolidation of office space and slower job creation."