The Mortgage Files

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

4 common home buying mistakes to avoid

By Scott Sheldon / October 22, 2018

When begin talking to lender about getting preapproved, you’re going to go through tons of emotions including the ultimate deciding factor whether you should buy a home or stay put. Here are the following things to avoid falling prey to prior to closing escrow on your house. Don’t get wrapped around the purchase price of…

How child support and alimony can affect your ability to get a mortgage

By Scott Sheldon / October 16, 2018

How child support and alimony can affect your ability to get a mortgage When you apply to purchase or refinance a home the mortgage lender takes into consideration all your monthly fixed expenses, adds them into your housing payment and creates what’s called a debt to income ratio. Also called payment to income ratio which…

How to plan optimal the time to buy a rental property

By Scott Sheldon / October 2, 2018

Buying a rental property may or may not help you qualify for financing. Here’s what you need to know to get the most amount of bang for your buck in when buying a rental… Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have a formula that they take into consideration including depreciation, mortgage interest paid to banks, taxes,…

The number one factor that can drive your mortgage cost up (hint not credit)

By Scott Sheldon / September 24, 2018

Purchasing or refinancing a home requires a certain degree of time, commitment and paperwork. Here is one factor that can make your mortgage more expensive … The simple answer is time. Time is not on your side when it comes to an escrow. The mortgage process is a very bureaucratic and compliant process and borrowers…

How to get a mortgage without providing tax returns

By Scott Sheldon / September 17, 2018

If you’re looking to purchase or refinance a house providing tax returns can sometimes just be inconvenient especially if your tax returns have various extending schedules. Here’s what you need to know if you’re looking to borrow money on a mortgage without providing the laundry list of financial documentation most banks and lenders require… Not…

3 reasons you should not buy a home

By Scott Sheldon / September 10, 2018

With the average price house in Sonoma County being $640,000 many probably would want to purchase a house however wanting to purchase a house and being able to do it are two different things. Following things should be considered if you want to buy a house successfully… The most important thing is can you afford…

3 quirky issues that will hurt your mortgage

By Scott Sheldon / September 5, 2018

Getting a mortgage loan in 2018 is still a very bureaucratic and compliant process. People getting mortgages today are still paying for the sins of borrowers’ past. Here are some things to consider… You must be able to document and specifically show all forms of income period. While it is true some things can be…

The credit score it takes to get a mortgage

By Scott Sheldon / August 29, 2018

To buy a house you need to have at least a good credit score, provable income that supports your ability to repay the mortgage as well as sufficient reserves and a to use for a down payment. If you’re looking to buy a house here’s what you need to know if your credit needs tender…