The Mortgage Files

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

Family standing outside their new suburban home, smiling and celebrating homeownership made possible through a no down payment FHA program

How to Buy a House Without Income Limits or Government Red Tape

By Scott Sheldon / December 25, 2024

If you’re looking to buy a house but want to avoid the income limits and red tape often associated with traditional down payment assistance programs, Security National Mortgage Company (SNMC) offers a solution. Their unique FHA program allows you to buy a home without the usual restrictions, making it easier to achieve homeownership. This program…

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Calculator and mortgage loan documents showing monthly savings on a refinance

When to Refinance Your Mortgage: Key Factors for Lowering Costs

By Scott Sheldon / November 6, 2024

When to Refinance Your Mortgage: Key Factors for Lowering Costs If you’ve bought a home recently or are considering lowering your mortgage rate, knowing when to refinance can make a significant financial difference. Many homeowners are looking for opportunities to reduce monthly payments or eliminate private mortgage insurance (PMI). Here are essential guidelines to help…

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Chart showing mortgage rates with points and the impact on pricing in high-interest rate environments.

How mortgage rate pricing works when rates decline

By Scott Sheldon / October 9, 2024

When interest rates are high, here’s how mortgage pricing works. Mortgage companies make money in two ways: the origination of the loan and the servicing of the loan, which involves collecting your monthly mortgage payments. When interest rates are higher, say around 7%, mortgage aggregators assess the value of that mortgage. They think, “If rates…

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"Illustration of a human figure representing the Federal Reserve, holding large scissors and cutting a red percentage sign symbolizing an interest rate. Surrounding the figure are individuals representing homeowners, business people, and families reacting in various ways to the rate cut, with a city skyline in the background, featuring banks, homes, and businesses."

“Why Federal Reserve Rate Cuts Don’t Directly Lower Mortgage Rates”

By Scott Sheldon / September 30, 2024

Why Federal Reserve Rate Cuts Don’t Directly Lower Mortgage Rates When the Federal Reserve announces a cut in interest rates, many people immediately assume that mortgage rates will drop as well. Unfortunately, this is a common misconception. When the Fed adjusts its rates—specifically the Federal Funds Rate—it doesn’t directly impact long-term mortgage rates. Instead, these…

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"A person standing in front of a 'For Sale' sign outside a suburban house, holding a clipboard and looking uncertain, reflecting hesitation about buying a home. The house has a well-kept lawn and a clear blue sky in the background, symbolizing the decision-making process in home ownership."

4 Signs You’re Not Ready to Buy a House

By Scott Sheldon / September 23, 2024

4 signs you’re not ready to buy a house when it comes to purchasing a home. It’s probably one of the highest-ticket purchases you’ll ever make in life, if not the most high-ticket purchase. You want to, of course, make sure that affordability is number one. This is primary, above all else. However, just because…

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fha streamline refinance

Maximize Savings with FHA Streamline Refinance: How to Lower Your Mortgage Interest Rate

By Scott Sheldon / August 20, 2024

As we move through 2024, FHA streamline refinances are starting to make a significant comeback. This resurgence is driven by the potential for substantial monthly savings, particularly for those who purchased homes in 2023 or earlier. If your current interest rate is around 6.5% or higher, now might be the perfect time to consider an…

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why being a picky home buyer could be an issue

Why being choosy as home buyer could be problematic

By Scott Sheldon / October 29, 2023

You’ve decided to buy a home, you’ve gotten preapproved with a lender, your file has even been pre-underwritten. Here are some things you might want to give some consideration to- what you want versus what the market might support… Here’s to considerations to think about.. Consideration one- Let’s say you’re pre-approved to $700,000, the house…

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can you buy a house with less than 600 credit score?

Can you buy a house with a less than 600 credit score?

By Scott Sheldon / October 1, 2023

For families were looking to buy a home one of the biggest setbacks people have been their credit score. The better the credit score the more likelihood you can get a loan. Everyone knows this, however, if your credit score needs a little bit of love, believe it or not there’s a mortgage loan programs…

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