The Mortgage Files
Nationally syndicated mortgage news and advice from Senior Loan Officer Scott Sheldon.
Make your credit fit the mortgage box
If you have some credit challenges preventing you from getting mortgage with competitive rates and fees, read on. Here are some tips you can take to the bank… Know this: you need not have perfect credit to buy a home or get a mortgage. Your credit just needs to be sufficient; good, bad, ugly or…
Read More about Make your credit fit the mortgage box2 simple reasons why your mortgage might not show up on your credit report
Your home mortgage is reported to the credit bureaus each month just like any other credit obligation. These reporting practices aides’ banks in granting credit requests. Here are two reasons why your mortgage loan might not show up on your credit report… Your loan is in the name of someone else-When you apply for a…
Read More about 2 simple reasons why your mortgage might not show up on your credit reportHow to cash out refinance a loan bigger than 417k
Lending guidelines were recently loosened on cash out refinance transactions. If you’re looking to refinance and pull out funds for home improvement, or another project, here’s what you should know if your loan size exceeds $417,000. Mortgage loans bigger than $417,000 are going to cost more. Here’s why: when a mortgage loan exceeds $417k the…
Read More about How to cash out refinance a loan bigger than 417kCan you benefit from an adjustable rate mortgage?
Most people who apply for mortgages base their decision on how much they can afford while keeping costs low and manageable. Here are some things to consider if you’re looking at a shorter-term financial picture… Fixed Rate vs. ARM The mortgage king is still the plain old 30 year fixed rate. On such a mortgage…
Read More about Can you benefit from an adjustable rate mortgage?Should you buy a fixer house?
Is the house in fair condition a good bet? Here are some things to consider if the affordable home you’re eyeing needs some work. The first thing to consider when buying a home is location. Location, location location is the credence held by most real estate experts. The reality of the market; true fixer homes…
Read More about Should you buy a fixer house?Mortgages: How to find the net tangible benefit through the fees, rate and payment
When shopping for a mortgage, it’s critical to have a general understanding of how the fees, rate and payment all connect to your bottom line. Here are tips better to identify your net tangible benefit on a home loan… Rates & fees The cost of an interest rate (mortgage pricing) moves with ebb and flow…
Read More about Mortgages: How to find the net tangible benefit through the fees, rate and paymentShould you pay off high interest debt first when getting a mortgage?
How you plan and budget your finances can have a big affect on whether or not you can qualify for a home loan. Following is what you should know if you’re trying to spruce up your financial picture for a mortgage… Not all debt is created equal. For sound financial planning purposes eliminating the expenses…
Read More about Should you pay off high interest debt first when getting a mortgage?What to do if you need last year’s income tax returns to get a mortgage
How’s your income? This is the first of many questions a banker is going to ask when you apply for a home loan. Here is how tax returns play a role in your ability to obtain mortgage loan financing. Generally, you need provide two years of 1040’s to a banker when applying for a home…
Read More about What to do if you need last year’s income tax returns to get a mortgage