The Mortgage Files

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

Lowest APR or Lowest Mortgage Rate?

By Scott Sheldon / October 5, 2011

People purchasing and refinancing homes always are asking the question is it best to get the lowest APR or the lowest interest rate and what’s the difference? You need to make sure you are actually comparing apples to apples. If you are refinancing a home or purchasing a home you’re going to receive Truth In…

FHA Condos VS. PUD's

By Scott Sheldon / October 3, 2011

Thinking about buying a condominium or unit in a planned unit development? If yes, first off congratulations on deciding to get preapproved to purchase real estate. The best areas in Sonoma County for condominiums are Rohnert Park followed by a Santa Rosa. Sometimes the property you might be looking at is really a planned unit…

BiWeekly Mortgage Payments Save You Money

By Scott Sheldon / September 30, 2011

Getting out of debt and mortgage free seems to be on everybody’s mind with these low mortgage rates. In fact there is a lot of truth to making a biweekly mortgage payment. A Biweekly mortgage payment is in essence doubling up on your payments to pay off your house faster. Calculate your mortgage payment. One…

Foreclosure Vs. Short Sale Know The Risks

By Scott Sheldon / September 28, 2011

For any homeowners who are in the predicament of choosing a short sale versus a foreclosure, this information is for you. Many people will tell you to just let the property go to foreclosure and in some cases that is the best route, but more often than not, a short sale makes more sense for…

First Time Home Buyers Get Zero O% Down Payment

By Scott Sheldon / September 26, 2011

Sonoma County First Time Home Buyers are now getting to enjoy it easy street. For years, first time home buyers were capped at putting down hefty down payments. Since the markets have changed, first time home buyers in Sonoma County can now purchase a house with 0% down. Move up buyers can also purchase a…

Best Mortgage Updates For October 1, 2011

By Scott Sheldon / September 25, 2011

In offering the best mortgages for all of Sonoma County, CA including Santa Rosa Refinance Loans and Petaluma Home Loans, its important to be aware of some underwriting guidelines changes set to occur October 1, 2011. USDA Loans, Conventional Loans, even FHA Mortgages and VA Mortgages have some slight changes. So far the biggest change…

Fed's Causes Mortgage Rates To Move Again!

By Scott Sheldon / September 23, 2011

The Federal Open Market Committee announced on Wednesday of this week to leave the Federal Funds Rate unchanged within its target range of .25%. The Fed maintained an outlook for the US economy that since last month economic growth remains slow, unemployment rates remain elevated, and the housing sector remains depressed. Obviously, this is not…

Refinance Without Starting Over At 30 years

By Scott Sheldon / September 21, 2011

Yes you can actually refinance your mortgage loan without starting over the 30 year term. As mortgage rates in Sonoma County have dropped this year, so have the actual costs of home ownership. It’s a fantastic time to purchase a home right now. It’s an even better time to refinance. This is a fact. Mortgage…