Making Chicken Soup out of Oatmeal

Lately, getting a borrower approved has been challenging.  My good Realtor Friend Christoph Schweiger has a phrase when he knows its going to be very difficult getting his clients pre-approved.  He says "Let's make Chicken Soup out of Oatmeal".  This seems to be the case lately and it does not help that our company is tightening up even more on the mortgage guidelines.

Its has been more important then ever to work with my mortgage underwriter and go over files piece by piece.  I have found going back to mortgage basics and learning the program guidelines have been saving my deals. 

Recently I had a file that I felt was a slam dunk FHA purchase that got real hairy at the end.  If it was not for knowing the guidelines closely, I am not sure if it would have been approved.

So I ask a question out there to the other mortgage professionals.  Do you see yourself learning new things just to get your loans approved, and are they all tough transactions.  It seems to be that way on my end.