The Mortgage Files

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

How improving mortgage rates drive purchasing power

By Scott Sheldon / December 17, 2023

Are you in the market for a new home? You might want to take advantage of the current trend in interest rates. In recent weeks, interest rates have come down by about half a percent, which can mean a significant increase in your purchasing power. If you are pre-approved with a mortgage company and looking…

2024 Conforming & FHA Loan Limits increased!

By Scott Sheldon / December 10, 2023

Are you considering buying or refinancing a home shortly? If so, you might be interested to know that the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) and the Federal Housing Administration have recently announced the new loan limits for 2024. The loan limit represents the maximum residential mortgage loan amount the government will allow in a certain…

Here’s a strategy to buy a home and set up a future refinance

By Scott Sheldon / December 3, 2023

For families looking to purchase a home, good news has arrived interest rates are slowly starting to descend. As time goes on purchasing power for family’s home searching will rise. So, the benefit of this is a lower monthly payment, potentially qualifying for a larger priced home by market forces. Here are some things to…

Why a 6 Month job gap on your FHA Mortgage could be an issue

By Scott Sheldon / November 26, 2023

If you are buying or refinancing a home and you’re getting an FHA Mortgage and you’ve had a job in the last six months, this information is going to be particularly important as relates to getting a home loan.  The following is what you need to know… If you are getting an FHA mortgage loan…

What happens with real estate prices when interest rates ultimately fall?

By Scott Sheldon / November 19, 2023

It’s no surprise that interest rates drive the housing market. If more people can buy a home, more demand is created and more demand drives housing prices up, which subsequently results in gaining home equity. Following are the dynamics that transpire in the market when interest rates come down… Homeowners stand to gain more equity…

Should you buy a more expensive home?

By Scott Sheldon / November 12, 2023

For families looking to purchase a home, a mortgage payment, and price of the home can go hand-in-hand decision making. If you find a house that could be a good fit for you and your family, but it seems a bit out of reach. Here are some things you might want to take some consideration…

How time to the market to buy a home

By Scott Sheldon / November 5, 2023

Everyone looking to buy a house is looking to get a “deal” to some degree. The home has to fit within the monthly budget in support of a sound financial decision. Part of this process is identifying marketing time so you can buy a home successfully… The great investor warren, Buffett has been quoted of…

Why being choosy as home buyer could be problematic

By Scott Sheldon / October 29, 2023

You’ve decided to buy a home, you’ve gotten preapproved with a lender, your file has even been pre-underwritten. Here are some things you might want to give some consideration to- what you want versus what the market might support… Here’s to considerations to think about.. Consideration one- Let’s say you’re pre-approved to $700,000, the house…