The Mortgage Files

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

How do I make a bi-weekly mortgage payment if my lender won't bill me that way?

By Scott Sheldon / May 15, 2014

This topic comes up frequently. Most lenders will not set up a biweekly mortgage payment Making a biweekly mortgage payment is incredibly beneficial when considering the longer term interest costs over the life of a loan. It’s not uncommon to be able to shave many years off the payoff time by simply making a biweekly…

Why A Low Rate Loan Is Not Always The Most Affordable

By Scott Sheldon / May 10, 2014

Other factors beyond the rate can drive up a your projected new monthly mortgage payment. Such adjustments include private mortgage insurance (PMI for short) and the term of the loan sought. A lower rate loan adjusting for mortgage insurance and a shorter term debt structure will make for a higher payment. What to be aware…

Why Your Second Job May Not Cut It For A Mortgage

By Scott Sheldon / May 4, 2014

You have a great credit score, manageable debts, solid income even have cash ready to go, but you still can’t a mortgage. Want a lender to count your second job income? Know these lending stipulations… How Lenders Classify Second Job Income A second job is usually classified as an additional income when qualifying a consumer…

Discharge A House In Bankrupcty? Not So Fast If You Want A Loan

By Scott Sheldon / April 27, 2014

If you have had a previous bankruptcy and lost a home in the last few years, the road to getting a new loan could be treacherous. Contrary to popular belief, for the purposes of obtaining mortgage credit, you cannot discharge home bankruptcy. What you must aware of getting a mortgage if you tried to discharge…

Self-Employed? What To Watch For When Lenders Calculate Your Income

By Scott Sheldon / April 20, 2014

Since the inception of qualified mortgages this year, the process to successfully to close on a mortgage has been compliant heavy by industry standards. Such is especially true if you own your business. It’s no mystery there is a general consensus amongst business owner consumers, banks do not make ability to qualify easy for the…

Can I roll the fees into my loan when buying real estate?

By Scott Sheldon / April 17, 2014

When you decide to purchase a home, you’ll have certain hurdles to overcome separate from the real estate purchase negotiation. Down payment Depends on which loan program you can qualify for what the property occupancy is. Assuming you’re purchasing a primary home- down payment can be as little as 3.5% or in some cases 0%…

Loophole To Show More Income When Buying A Home

By Scott Sheldon / April 13, 2014

Buying can be considered simplistic, in a broad sense, income is used to offset a mortgage payment (a liability). One of the biggest obstacles home buyers will continually face despite market swings is showing enough income to offset other payment obligations (consumer debts) as well as a proposed housing payment. When these numbers don’t add…

Big Shoes To Fill With FHA's Back To Work Program

By Scott Sheldon / April 7, 2014

Announced in 2013, the FHA Back To Work Program allows  a buyer repurchase a primary home again just 12 months after a foreclosure, short sale or a deed in lieu of foreclosure. Extended through September 30, 2016, program aims to fulfill a lofty goal-offering families a second chance at homeownership. The proof however, is in the…