The Mortgage Files

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

Mortgage Tip: Internet Lenders …Know The Risks

By Scott Sheldon / September 1, 2011

Getting a Sonoma County Mortgage Loan requires careful consideration of not only the costs involved, but where you go to actually obtain financing. When people think of a mortgage they usually think of their local bank or a mortgage broker. Independent direct lenders are often lumped together with brokers because each is a paid to…

Home Mortgage Banks Are Strapped So Can Rates Get Any Lower?

By Scott Sheldon / August 30, 2011

Everyone knows our economy right now is unstable. The big question on everybody’s mind is can mortgage rates get any lower? My answer is no. I don’t see how interest rates can get any lower because of the simple fact that banks are not making money right now and they have not been making money…

Refinancing With Your Current Lender Is NOT Always Easier

By Scott Sheldon / August 26, 2011

Searching for a competitive mortgage rate and terms can certainly be challenging in today’s lending world. Mortgage rates are presently at historic lows and there is even greater opportunity to aggressively pay down your mortgage balance. So where do you go to secure the best possible interest rate on that new mortgage loan? Well…banks create…

Santa Rosa Mortgage Shopping: Be Smart Get An Appraisal

By Scott Sheldon / August 25, 2011

Consumers looking for mortgage loans in Santa Rosa Sonoma County CA should know mortgage rates are always quoted and are never guaranteed until the loan is locked in. Every loan program, interest rate and or points are only quotes until an appraisal is not only ordered, but received with a full valuation. For people who…

Mortgage Lender Fees Are Rising!

By Scott Sheldon / August 23, 2011

Mortgage Lender Fees are rising due to tighter credit guidelines. Since 2008, mortgage lending’s credit guidelines have continued to get tighter and tighter. It always seem like there is always some new credit guideline or restriction coming out to write more A grade mortgage loans. The investors in the secondary mortgage market are still very…

Lowest Sonoma County Mortgage Rates on Record!

By Scott Sheldon / August 19, 2011

Yes, it’s true the lowest Sonoma County mortgage rates are now on record as of August 19, 2011! 30 year fixed-rate conventional loans have fallen to an all-time record low! This could not be a better time to secure a refinance loan or a home purchase loan from an interest rate perspective. Rates are in…

How FHA Home Loans Work

By Scott Sheldon / August 18, 2011

How do FHA Home Loans Work? FHA Home Loans are the most popular loan program available in the Sonoma County Mortgage market. While these loans remain popular unfortunately the media does a very poor job of explaining to consumers how these loans actually work. All FHA loans have mortgage insurance no matter what the down…

100% Financing Is Available With USDA Home Loans

By Scott Sheldon / August 16, 2011

USDA Home Loans Offer 100% Financing for properties in certain areas of Sonoma County. USDA Home Loans are truly 100% financing mortgage loans and are available in Sonoma County.USDA Home Loans are for rural properties only and because of this the following cities are not eligible for USDA financing Santa Rosa, Rohnert Park, Cotati, and…