The Mortgage Files

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

Is the mortgage rate or the purchase price you pay for a home more important?

By Scott Sheldon / November 13, 2022

If you’ve been thinking about purchasing a home and you’ve been on the fence because you’re just not sure about the right time, the information that’s going to follow is for you… Trying to time the market to identify a moment in time to pinpoint the right time to purchase a home is an incredibly…

Why are current mortgage rates so high?

By Scott Sheldon / November 6, 2022

People who are thinking about getting a mortgage to buy or refinance a home are having shell shock relating to the costs associated with doing a mortgage transaction. It’s not as simple as inflation to why mortgage rates are so high. Here’s some information that explains not only why mortgage rates are so high, but…

5 reasons you’re not ready to buy a home

By Scott Sheldon / October 30, 2022

Buying a home is considered to be the American dream. Buying a home however is also not for everyone as it requires careful consideration of planning, a little bit of success, and the right people working for you. Just because you can buy a home doesn’t necessarily mean that you should. Here are five reasons…

Does waiting for the right time to buy a home make economic sense?

By Scott Sheldon / October 9, 2022

If you’ve been thinking about whether you should purchase a home, you might want to think about applying with a lender. This helps to get a read on where you are financial picture. If you’ve been thinking about purchasing a home, but you’re just not quite sure yet here are some things to consider…  …

Should you buy a house in this real estate market?

By Scott Sheldon / October 3, 2022

For many, the idea of buying a home is the American dream. The home purchase needs to be within your monthly budget. Here are things to consider in today’s present real estate market and how you can use those to your financial advantage as it relates to buying a family home… It’s no surprise interest…

2023 Confirming Loan Limit Rise

By Scott Sheldon / September 25, 2022

The federal housing finance agency recently released its 2023 conforming loan limit. The new loan limit for 2023 is $715,000. Here is what this means if you’re purchasing or refinancing a home… Each year the Federal Housing Finance Agency which oversees Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac releases its annual loan limit. The annual loan limit…

Should you take out an adjustable rate mortgage?

By Scott Sheldon / September 4, 2022

With interest rates as high as they are consumers want adjustable-rate mortgages for payment relief. If you’re thinking about an adjustable-rate mortgage versus a fixed-rate mortgage here are some things, you need to be aware of… The first few years of the mortgage loan are called a teaser rate.  A teaser rate is short-term and…

Should you cash out refinance or get a home equity line of credit?

By Scott Sheldon / August 28, 2022

Inflation is hitting consumers right and left. Seems like everything is going up these days and one of the most expensive types of debt has just got even more expensive- consumer loans. If you have consumer loans including student loans, personal loans, even a home equity line of credit, or credit cards expect the costs…