The Mortgage Files

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

How To Buy A Home Without 20% Down And No Mortgage Insurance

By Scott Sheldon / November 23, 2014

The days of needing 20% down to buy a home are long gone. To compensate, lenders charge private mortgage insurance as means to offset risk, driving up would-be borrowers’ mortgage payments. Here’s how you can buy a home with less than 20% down and still avoid dreaded PMI… Quick PMI Nuts And Bolts Private mortgage…

Why Hiding Income From Your Lender Is A Bad Idea

By Scott Sheldon / November 16, 2014

Applying for a home loan? Omitting, hiding, manipulating or not showing income, may be a gray area with your mortgage company. What to know… When you apply for a home loan, there are specific income documentation requirements, all lenders will require to fund on a mortgage . This includes: Two most recent years income tax…

Pre-approved and House Hunting? How Maternity Leave Factors Into The Mix

By Scott Sheldon / November 9, 2014

Looking to buy a home with a munchkin on the way? The details of your temporary leave may impact your ability to perform when you identify a home. Here’s what you need to know when taking a maternity leave of absence and how a home loan lender will view your income status… Current Income Or…

Are There Any More First Time Home Buyer Loans?

By Scott Sheldon / November 4, 2014

Unfortunately not, there is no specific Santa Rosa or Sonoma County first Time home buyer program available anymore. Down payment assistance options come in the form of pulling money out of retirement accounts such as stocks, bonds, IRA and 401(k) options. Another fantastic source for a down payment is gift funds. Many potential homebuyers are…

5 Income Sources You Can't Count Against A Mortgage

By Scott Sheldon / October 26, 2014

It is not by happenstance, that lenders place high importance on income, but rather microscopic compliance regulations imposed on them by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). Have one or more alternative income source? Read on… A home loan lender is going to look at your income, as a means to offset a mortgage payment…

This Credit Mistake May Cost You A House

By Scott Sheldon / October 19, 2014

Your ability to purchase a home with financing is predicated on how much net income you have after all monthly debts. If you’re consumer liabilities absorb your income, particularly in credit card payments, you may have to put the brakes on the home search. Following is how even 0% interest credit cards may affect your…

Funky Property Types You Can Still Get A Mortgage On

By Scott Sheldon / October 13, 2014

Looking to purchase real estate other than a traditional cookie-cutter single-family home? If you’ve ever been told you can’t get residential mortgage financing on that oddball property, think again. While challenging as it may be to purchase an alternative property type with debt, it can be done. Here’s what you need to know if you…

This Mortgage Cost No Longer Makes Financial Sense

By Scott Sheldon / October 6, 2014

For anyone who got a mortgage in the last few years with little equity, most are all-too-familiar with mortgage insurance, the added premium built into the mortgage payment insuring the lender against payment default. Measured over time, it can cost you thousands. The facts you must know… Zero Tax Advantages For years mortgage borrowers got…