The Mortgage Files
Nationally syndicated mortgage news and advice from Senior Loan Officer Scott Sheldon.
Going backwards trying to save for a home?
Do you need help saving to buy a house? What you think you need and what you actually need may not be the same. Here is what you should know when saving for a home. In order to purchase a home, you need at least 3.5% for a down payment. Another option is Down…
Read More about Going backwards trying to save for a home?Is a 50 year mortgage a good move?
Are you looking to afford a mortgage? A 50 year mortgage may be an option, but here are some things to consider when looking at a long mortgage term. These loans are not bought and sold by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac. They are smaller banks and portfolio lenders that offer unique financing and as…
Read More about Is a 50 year mortgage a good move?Self-Employed? It just got easier to get a mortgage
Are you looking to purchase a home? Are you self-employed? The rules to make this happen just got easier. Freddie Mac has recently announced upcoming changes on how vendors can use your income to qualify you for a home. If you are a self-employed borrower, lenders will be looking at your loan application with a…
Read More about Self-Employed? It just got easier to get a mortgageThis common mistake will kill your mortgage
Are you buying a home? This common mortgage mistake can end up creating more unnecessary challenges for you during the underwriting process. Here are the things you should look out for… When you are buying a home, you need to show your lender that you have a down payment and access to funds to close.…
Read More about This common mistake will kill your mortgageHow to write a killer letter to get your purchase offer accepted
Buying a home in a competitive market means you need to have all of your ducks in a row. You can be successful in this by putting your best foot forward before the starting gate. One way to spruce up your offer is to write a letter to the seller. All sellers have different reasons…
Read More about How to write a killer letter to get your purchase offer acceptedThe equity percentage you need for a big mortgage is less than you think
Most people will tell you that you must have excellent credit and a big down payment to secure a larger mortgage. The reality is that while having a big chunk of cash to put down on a house is nice to have, it is not always an absolute requirement. Here is the information you should…
Read More about The equity percentage you need for a big mortgage is less than you thinkHow much the debt in your life is costing you
Your ability to save money can become compromised by the financial obligations you are paying in your life. If you have a mortgage and consumer debts, this article will help you determine: Should you stay the course or take action to start getting control of your cash? The nuts and bolts of a good financial…
Read More about How much the debt in your life is costing youHow to get a down payment to buy a home
In order to buy a home, you need to have a balance of good credit, manageable debt, stable income and sufficient savings. Maintaining a balance between these four categories is challenging enough on its own, never mind coming up with enough cash to close on your potential new home. The amount of money you have…
Read More about How to get a down payment to buy a home