The Mortgage Files

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

Should I work with a mortgage broker or a mortgage lender?

By Scott Sheldon / December 28, 2014

Depends-primarily on who you feel comfortable with. Let’s be honest, this is the largest transaction most people ever take on in their entire life and should be handled with somebody who knows what they’re doing. A mortgage broker does not control their own money. Instead they act as an intermediary between you the borrower and…

How Much Are Closing Costs Going To Be On A Home Purchase?

By Scott Sheldon / December 24, 2014

This can change based on the purchase price of the homefor example if you’re looking at a house in Sonoma County, and the purchase price is $500,000 you can assume $10,000 for closing costs plus the down payment. When you buy a house down payment is always independent of the closing costs. In other words…

Think You Can't Buy A House Because Its A Seller's Market?

By Scott Sheldon / December 21, 2014

Have you decided to put off purchasing a home? If you’re worried you’re paying too much for a house- think again. Here’s why: Higher Home Prices Let’s take a pause and rewind to 2012, the unemployment rate exceeded 8%, short sales and foreclosures were rampant, consumer confidence was low, the prospectus of job growth was…

5 Factors To Think About When Refinancing

By Scott Sheldon / December 14, 2014

Mortgage rates are now the lowest level we’ve seen in the last 17 months ago. If you can save money by refinancing your mortgage or have been putting it off, you owe yourself to explore your options. Here’s the five setbacks to know before pulling the trigger… The 1% Rate Reduction Rule Most finance experts…

Are You Sure Renting Still Makes Sense?

By Scott Sheldon / December 7, 2014

Many millions of consumers who either previously owned a home or have never owned a home before  are all too familiar with the financial drain renting poses. Here’s four renting realities consumers face… Your Home Is Controlled By Your Landlord A legal right to occupy the property does not not include making changes to the…

Quirky Mortgage Borrowers Are Still Getting Loans

By Scott Sheldon / November 30, 2014

Had a previous bad credit event? Don’t have two years in the same field? Income not three times your proposed payment? Fear not, when your financial picture doesn’t fit the box, here’s how you may still qualify some lenders… To get a mortgage, you must have the four pillars lenders use to frame together a…

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…