The Mortgage Files

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

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…

Get A Mortgage Rate Quote

By Scott Sheldon / June 1, 2011

If you are looking for a Sonoma County Mortgage, get a mortgage rate quote. Mortgage Interest Rates move on a daily basis causing interest rates to change sometimes by the hour. Daily macro economic events influence the buying and selling of bonds which stimulates the movement of money and subsequently, interest rate movement. Get A…

Want to Refinance? Try An FHA Short Pay Refi

By Scott Sheldon / May 26, 2011

If you have tried to refinance, but couldn’t because of income, or insufficient home equity, consider the FHA Short Pay Refinance Program. The FHA Short Pay Refinance Program is backed by HUD, just like a traditional FHA Loan, and offers current homeowners an opportunity to refinance into a fixed rate mortgage for payment relief. Traditionally,…

Current Mortgage Rates For Santa Rosa

By Scott Sheldon / May 14, 2011

Since the death of Bin Laden, current mortgage rates for Santa Rosa remain under 4.75%! For the last two weeks we have had a rally in current mortgage rates and you can now lock in the best mortgage since middle of 2010. Consumers are feeling stronger about the economy by pouring their money into the…

No Cost Refinances = Tremendous Savings

By Scott Sheldon / April 20, 2011

What is a no-cost mortgage ? Let me be the first to say that many lenders quote rates and programs to get you to apply with them. That being said there are several distinctions we should make when understanding what a no-cost mortgage is. Let’s first talk about all the rest. A zero points mortgage…