The Mortgage Files

Nationally syndicated mortgage news and advice from Senior Loan Officer Scott Sheldon.

Higher FHA Loan Limits ARE Back !!!!!!!!!!!!

By Scott Sheldon / December 7, 2011

The temporary FHA Loan Limits were reduced on October 1, 2011 as Congress elected to not renew them. The county by county loan limits were reduced to original loan limits which were upwards of $100,000 or more less per county. Congress re-evaluates! Congress has reevaluated their decision and have agreed to reinstate the previous loan…

Bad Credit Mortgage? Hello Government Loan

By Scott Sheldon / December 5, 2011

Stop and listen up if you had a previous bankruptcy on or before December 2, 2009 you can get a mortgage loan. You had a previous foreclosure or short sale on or before December 2, 2008 you can get a mortgage loan. Let 2012 be the year to get back on your feet and secure…

Mortgage Rates Improve On Jobs Report

By Scott Sheldon / December 2, 2011

Mortgages rates across the board improved today on the news of the unemployment rate falling to 8.6% from 9%. The unemployment rate has not been this low for 2 1/2 years. Initially, the stock market improved on the news on .4 % change in the unemployment rate with a liquidation of bonds. During trading this…

The 30 Year Fixed Rate Mortgage, Still The Most Popular Home Loan For Borrowers

By Scott Sheldon / November 29, 2011

For financing real estate, the 30 year fixed-rate mortgage still remains the most popular home loan for borrowers. The majority of borrowers today take out 30 year fixed-rate mortgages because of the flexibility and comfort of a long-term fixed rate. 30 year fixed-rate mortgages today contain no prepayment penalties unlike their counterparts from a few…

Mortgage Tip: How Gift Monies Work

By Scott Sheldon / November 25, 2011

People purchasing real estate today often times are faced with procuring gift monies in order to bridge the gap between being preapproved to closing escrow on a property. Many times gift monies can be an excellent source of additional funds needed for loan qualifying or down payment purposes. If you are going to be purchasing…

Fed Minutes: Mortgage Rates React

By Scott Sheldon / November 23, 2011

The Federal Reserve’s minutes of the last meeting came out yesterday and it was revealed the Federal Reserve will continue to inject money into the economy to spur economic growth in the form of quantitative easing. The Fed meeting minutes also revealed they are positioning themselves to be in lockstep coordination with the financial markets.…

Buying A House Even If You Are Underwater

By Scott Sheldon / November 21, 2011

For every homeowner who is upside down on their mortgage, this is for you. An upside down mortgage is when somebody owes more on their mortgage balance than their home is worth, hence the term underwater. People who are underwater on their mortgage have limited options unless their mortgage loan is owned by Fannie Mae…

Mortgage Shopping- A Different Approach

By Scott Sheldon / November 18, 2011

Ever begin shopping for a mortgage loan and then realize the mortgage company you selected isn’t the right fit for you? If yes read on…. Everyone wants a combination of the best interest rate, fees and terms available on any given day for their mortgage loan scenario. Whether a purchase scenario or a refinance scenario,…