The Mortgage Files

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

Credit Score For Getting A Home Loan: 800 Is Not Necessary

By Scott Sheldon / April 15, 2012

Everyone wants to have good credit to secure the best interest rate for mortgage loan financing.  Credit scores range from 500 to 800, although we’ve seen credit scores as high as 820 before. Despite the fact that getting a mortgage today involves showing full income, full assets and a complete credit history, the need for…

Buying A Home Or Refinancing A Mortgage: Same Guidelines Apply

By Scott Sheldon / April 9, 2012

Lets get one thing straight… no matter what mortgage company you work with, banker, broker, direct lender all mortgage loan qualifying is the same. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and HUD have the same guidelines across the board, with small subtle differences from company to company. There is only one bond market and mortgage rates…

Mortgage Application: Pulling Credit Report

By Scott Sheldon / February 27, 2012

Taking out of home loan? This might surprise you, pulling credit associated with the mortgage application does not make your credit score drop. This is information circulating around the media, not totally accurate. When you are filling out a mortgage application with a prospective mortgage broker or lender, they are required to pull a copy…

Bad Credit Mortgage? Hello Government Loan

By Scott Sheldon / December 5, 2011

Stop and listen up if you had a previous bankruptcy on or before December 2, 2009 you can get a mortgage loan. You had a previous foreclosure or short sale on or before December 2, 2008 you can get a mortgage loan. Let 2012 be the year to get back on your feet and secure…

640 is the Magic Credit Score For Getting A Mortgage Loan These Days

By Scott Sheldon / October 28, 2011

As we all know getting a mortgage loan today can be challenge. Dealing with adverse credit can be somewhat unpleasant, but necessary to procure mortgage financing. The credit score is an indicator of how likely you are to default on a monthly debt obligation in the next three months. The higher the credit score the…

Mortgage Tip: Increase Your Credit Score

By Scott Sheldon / October 17, 2011

So you went ahead and applied for a mortgage loan and you’re all geared up to refinance refinance at today’s fantastic interest rates and your lined up to be preapproved to purchase a house. Your income is good, your assets is good, you got two years on the job, and even don’t have much debt.…

Foreclosure Vs. Short Sale Know The Risks

By Scott Sheldon / September 28, 2011

For any homeowners who are in the predicament of choosing a short sale versus a foreclosure, this information is for you. Many people will tell you to just let the property go to foreclosure and in some cases that is the best route, but more often than not, a short sale makes more sense for…

Your Credit Score: What You Need To Know

By Scott Sheldon / July 15, 2011

Your credit score is an indication of how likely you are to default on a debt obligation in the next 30 days. The credit score is made up of many different components. All a credit score is, is an indicator or rather a predictor of how likely you are to default on a monthly debt…