ridiculous excuse of not lending, page-6

it sounds ridiculous....a property that needs renovations is exactly that...
I would state to the lender that I will be renovating....and either can afford to do the roof asap, or borrow the extra to do it...once it is in my name, and after finance was approved..

there is no way they can demand you pay for an improvement on a property...that is not your own, or you dont own it...

at the height of the lending at the very low rates in Dec 08, CBA were very busy, it took 60 days....I would expect it is quicker now ....they approved my loan subject to the valuation, which took place within 2 weeks.....it was just the paperwork from CBA that was so slow...
they were not on their own.....most of the banks use a settlement house/ group for the paperwork....it was my understanding it was that group that was at fault....they did not put on extra staff to cope with the demand....
Rams took almost 3 months for the same job....

you should be able to put a finance clause in the contract...allowing at least 3 weeks for approval