The Mortgage Files

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

Why is My Home Loan Rate 3.5%, but my APR is 3.793

By Scott Sheldon / December 11, 2012

The difference in the interest rate and the annual percentage rate is the spread expressed as a dollar finance over the life of the loan. The aPR is always going to be higher than the mortgage rate because the APR, is a function of the total closing costs express as a dollar percentage over the…

Should I get a mortgage rate quote for a refinance from my current lender?

By Scott Sheldon / December 10, 2012

Many Big mortgage lenders who service loans and originate loans such as Citibank, Wells Fargo Bank of America etc. will many times offer sales promotions to their loan servicing channel. If you ever receive a phone call from your current mortgage lender offering your mortgage rate quote or refinance or telling you there is a…

Did Your Adjustable Rate Mortgage Reset? Directions to Mortgage Payment Clarity

By Scott Sheldon / December 10, 2012

In the last several years, many homeowners looking to take advantage of a lower monthly mortgage payments took out adjustable-rate mortgages to purchase or refinance their homes. As both mortgage rates and short-term interest rates, remain low it boils down to one financial decision at the end of the day; Keep or refinance your adjustable-rate…

Why Can't I Get The Refi Mortgage Rate I Saw In The News?

By Scott Sheldon / December 8, 2012

“Why can’t I get the mortgage rate for my refinance I saw in the news?” This question is asked on a daily basis. When you as a homeowner have a mortgage and are paying a certain percentage of the money you originally borrowed, you’re always going to be paying a little closer attention to those…

Where To Get Information On Sonoma County Home Buying?

By Scott Sheldon / December 8, 2012

You will want to speak with the local mortgage loan officer upfront. Ideally a loan officer who, as a Fannie Mae Freddie Mac lender and has access to various mortgage loan programs including FHA loans, conventional loans VA loans, USDA loans and home path loans. Put another way, the lender that has the full gamut…

What Santa Rosa mortgage can I use to purchase an income property?

By Scott Sheldon / December 2, 2012

This depends if you meet the eligible requirements to purchasing an investment property. The best Santa Rosa mortgage would allow you to put 20% down and use fair market rents to offset the purchase price. Additionally, most investors look at using a 30 year fixed rate mortgage to improve cash flows and provide the highest…

Refinancing Now Takes Longer Than 30 Days

By Scott Sheldon / December 2, 2012

Homeowners refinancing their mortgages will now come to learn the refinance process is taking longer than 30 days. Here’s the scoop: mortgage-backed securities (MBS) continue to be a very lucrative investment vehicle in these economic times. Safe, conservative returns with a fixed income provides an awfully attractive place to park one’s money considering little volatility…

The Biggest Self-Employed Borrower Traps When Getting A Mortgage

By Scott Sheldon / November 25, 2012

If there is one type of borrower in this credit market whose profile has been scrutinized the most by the financial markets, it’s the sole proprietor business. Self-employed borrowers/sole proprietors used to be able to get stated income loans that would otherwise allow them to provide no income verification. Because the paradigm has shifted so…