Methods, system, and article of manufacture are provided for processing real estate loans based on loan data including personal data relating to a borrower, financial information relating to the borrower' s financial position, and loan conditions including a loan term and information on the corresponding real estate, related to a real estate loan. Such methods, system, and article of manufacture generate a comparison model including an ability-to-pay rate reflecting an interest rate on the loan reflecting the borrower' s ability to repay a loan having the loan conditions, a default rate reflecting an interest rate realizable if the loan is foreclosed and a new loan secured by the real estate originated, and a minimum rate reflecting an interest rate realizable if protocols from a sale of the real estate before expiration of the loan term are determined to be acceptable and a new loan secured by the real estate originated. Using a relationship determined from the ability-to-pay rate, the default rate, and the minimum rate of the comparison model, as well as a predetermined current return rate, the methods, system, and article of manufacture select an acceptable return rate for the loan.