The Mortgage Files

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

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…

Why People Cannot Qualify For Mortgages

By Scott Sheldon / November 18, 2012

Ever been enticed by via low mortgage rate only to find out you don’t measure up to the credit standards of that particular lender? Unfortunately it happens every day. The good news  only 40% of people cannot qualify, that means there is 60% of the people who can. Nevertheless, following are common way  your loan…

Don't Get Burned By Mortgage Rate Locks!

By Scott Sheldon / November 11, 2012

Looking for a mortgage loan in Sonoma County, California? Whether buying a home or refinancing a mortgage, your lender will require you to lock your interest rate on the amount being borrowed. How long you lock your interest rate for is how long you have to close escrow. This is where consumers can oftentimes find…

What Sonoma County loan programs are available for little or no down payment?

By Scott Sheldon / November 6, 2012

Great question There are several different programs which would help you decide on purchase price, and monthly payment and certainly loan qualifying. The minimum down payment to purchase a house anywhere in Sonoma County’s 3.5% which would be on an FHA insured government loan program. If your income is $92,000 per year or lower, and…

What loan programs are available to help me refinance if I'm underwater,my loan is not owned by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac?

By Scott Sheldon / November 1, 2012

If your loan is ineligible for the HARP 2 refinance program, you do have options. If you live in Sonoma County, or Santa Rosa or a the surrounding areas, you can refinance your loan for up to 97% of the current appraised value. You be looking most likely using a government loan which has a…