The Mortgage Files

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

Why Ability To Qualify Supersedes Rate

By Scott Sheldon / March 22, 2013

Consumers shopping for a mortgage typically concentrate on attaining lowest possible interest rate. Rates have risen slightly in recent weeks as a more exuberant stock market has taken shape. Current consensus points to more consumers entering the mortgage market, motivated to take action, as a result. Factors At Work The financial markets, jobs data, and…

How Does Co-Signing Affect My Ability To Qualify For A Mortgage Loan?

By Scott Sheldon / March 18, 2013

If you can find a cosigner for your mortgage, come programs include FHA loans and conventional mortgages, you could potentially qualify for a larger purchase price by taking on larger payment on a monthly basis. The other person has to provide a letter of explanation to the lender explaining specifically why they are willing to…

Top Make Sense Reasons To Refinance

By Scott Sheldon / March 15, 2013

Take heed mortgage rates are still favorable, even if you took out loan as recently as last year. When it comes to refinancing, borrowers must have two components:  loan make sense + net tangible benefit. Reasons To Remortgage Your Home Lowering Or Getting Out Of Monthly Mortgage Insurance Refinancing into a new loan with no…

Another lender is asking me for my business tax returns, including my K-1's and 1120's, is this normal?

By Scott Sheldon / March 14, 2013

Yes, if the lender is requiring tax returns, then most likely the reason this is coming up is because there’s some link between your business tax return and your personal 1040s. In other words for every business you own, that files a corporate tax return then yes mortgage lenders underwriter is going to require each…

Doing A Cash Out Refinance: Why Do I Have To Close My Accounts?

By Scott Sheldon / March 12, 2013

This depends on whether or not the cash taken out is to pay off debts for the purposes of qualifying for the mortgage. Since paying off debt to qualify for the mortgage is not permitted, lender will most likely require you to pay off the account through the close of escrow and close the account…

#1 Worst Mistake Consumers Make When Taking Out A Mortgage, Surprising Answer

By Scott Sheldon / March 10, 2013

Tight lending guidelines, restrictive loan qualifying, and lack of available credit continues to dominate today’s world of mortgage lending. Despite the fact consumers need to show full income, all liabilities, explain previous job history, credit challenges and the list goes on, what many don’t realize, is there something else more ominous lenders’ have their feelers…

Does It Make Sense To Raise My Credit Score For A Better Interest Rate?

By Scott Sheldon / March 6, 2013

That’s the money question isn’t it? It depends on how soon you want your mortgage to close. A better question to ask: “Despite the credit score being low can you qualify with income, credit score you have, assets and other liabilities as well as the total new monthly mortgage payment?” If the answer is yes,…

My house has a granny unit, can I use this additional income to help you qualify for my Santa Rosa mortgage refinance?

By Scott Sheldon / March 6, 2013

The answer is no. This is because the property has to be specifically zoned as a multiunit property in order for the income to be used for the purposes of qualifying for a mortgage. In order for the income to be counted the property must be a duplex, triplex or four plex and it must…