The Mortgage Files

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

Mortgage Tip: How To Get A Home Mortage Loan Approved Fast

By Scott Sheldon / July 3, 2011

A fast home mortgage loan approval is the focal point of actually getting the loan to close escrow. The home mortgage loan approval is the point in the transaction gives everybody the green light to move forward with obtaining conditions and ordering docs. The best way to get the loan approved as quickly as possible…

FHA Loans Help The First Time Home Buyer

By Scott Sheldon / June 29, 2011

FHA Loans Help The First Time Home Buyer “Get In.” Almost the whole pool of available FHA loans are being provided to first time home buyers. The popularity of FHA loans has risen dramatically in the last few years. This is caused folks to strongly consider an FHA loan when financing a house. An FHA…

Shopping Around For Santa Rosa Mortgages?

By Scott Sheldon / June 26, 2011

Everybody looking for Santa Rosa mortgages, knows the local market is completely saturated with mortgage companies. What’s more is that the major players today doing the business are the big banks such as Chase, Wells Fargo Bank of America and lastly, but perhaps most importantly independent mortgage bankers. Where do you go to get the…

The Big 2011 Question: Should You Refinance Your Mortgage?

By Scott Sheldon / June 22, 2011

The big 2011 money question: Should You Refinance Your Mortgage.. in a nutshell, it depends. The bottom line mortgage rates are extremely low right now. How low? Try 4.5% and lower for 30 year money and 15 year is under 4.0% and that is without points! Ultimately, no one can control the actual rate you’ll…

The Best Mortgage Rates Are Back….Lock In!

By Scott Sheldon / June 19, 2011

The best mortgage rates are back, lock in that great rate now! For the last few weeks, mortgage rates have been quite favorable. 30 year mortgages are now pricing under 4.5% for primary residences. This has been due to the fact the Federal Reserve is buying treasury bonds and will continue to do so only…

Homepath Loans=No Appraisal No Mortgage Insurance

By Scott Sheldon / June 17, 2011

For folks seeking mortgages in Sonoma County, Homepath Loans offer a sound alternative financing tool. Buyers in the marketplace today are looking mainly at foreclosures. Mortgage Aggregator Fannie Mae offers a unique home loan program called HomePath for REO properties. These Homepath Loans= no appraisal, no mortgage insurance and they allow as little as 3%…

FHA 203K Loans, Not All They're Cracked Up To Be

By Scott Sheldon / June 12, 2011

For first-time home buyers especially, FHA loans are the most popular product because the down payment needed is only 3.5%. FHA loans have the most flexible lending requirements than nearly every other loan product in the marketplace. FHA loans also have somewhat unique property requirements with regards to the appraisal. For example in order to…

Underwater? Yep You Can Still Refinance…

By Scott Sheldon / June 2, 2011

The Sonoma County Housing Market hit by foreclosures and short sales, hinders homeowners’ ability to refinance their home mortgages. Insufficient equity continues to be a growing concern for both homeowners and lenders alike, doing a refinance. Mortgage lenders typically like to see 20% equity for a refinance and in special circumstances they will allow as…