The Mortgage Files

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

Scott Sheldon's The Mortgage FIles Blog

Is Your Current Mortgage Rate Higher Than 4.375%? Time To Make A Move

By Scott Sheldon / April 8, 2013

The majority of homeowners refinancing today are looking for one common net tangible benefit; a lower cost mortgage. Gone are the days homeowners had to refinance due to a variable-rate-payment change or strong inflationary factors. Everyone wants to save money, key is deciding when to make a prudent move at the right time. If you’re…

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Scott Sheldon's The Mortgage FIles Blog

How Higher Mortgage Rates Affect Payment

By Scott Sheldon / February 10, 2013

Purchasing a home or refinancing a home loan?  If the interest rate is not locked, be prepared to watch the market very closely with your mortgage company. On closing escrow: Shorter term -consider moving into locking status as rates are volatile Longer term -take the position of floating as strong economic indicators point to improving…

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Scott Sheldon's The Mortgage FIles Blog

Comparing Mortgages: Why Typical Rate Shopping Is Subjective

By Scott Sheldon / January 27, 2013

As mortgage rates remain favorable, more consumers are rate savvy and rightfully so. Everybody wants to make sure they’re getting a competitive combination of rate and  associated costs in their purchase or refinance loan. Comparing mortgages, doing true apples to apples comparisons can be quite time-consuming and nonetheless labor-intensive. Typical Way Consumers Shop Mortgages Most…

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Scott Sheldon's The Mortgage FIles Blog

Will "Qualified Mortgages" Help Consumers?

By Scott Sheldon / January 13, 2013

On January 10, 2013, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau unveiled new rules to help protect consumers from unscrupulous mortgage lending. These rules implement underwriting criteria what constitutes a “qualified mortgage”.  As long as the mortgage lender meets certain criteria, the consumer cannot sue a lender for not verifying income, providing a loan to a consumer…

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Scott Sheldon's The Mortgage FIles Blog

Why 2013 Will Be The Year To Buy A House

By Scott Sheldon / December 23, 2012

As we round up the fiscal year 2012 and move into 2013, the next 12 months is showing compelling reasons why would-be home buyers are going to be buying more homes. In the beginning of 2012, the consensus was the real estate market was low, even flat in some parts. In summer 2012, purchase business…

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Scott Sheldon's The Mortgage FIles Blog

Refinancing Now Takes Longer Than 30 Days

By Scott Sheldon / December 2, 2012

Homeowners refinancing their mortgages will now come to learn the refinance process is taking longer than 30 days. Here’s the scoop: mortgage-backed securities (MBS) continue to be a very lucrative investment vehicle in these economic times. Safe, conservative returns with a fixed income provides an awfully attractive place to park one’s money considering little volatility…

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Scott Sheldon's The Mortgage FIles Blog

6 Reasons To Buy Income Property Now!

By Scott Sheldon / November 1, 2012

This real estate market is continuing to produce many fantastic opportunities including a very make sense approach to purchasing income property. Decide where to invest your your cash… 6 Reasons Income Buying Property Makes Sense 1. Low Mortgage Rates– even for investment properties, continue to remain low creating a favorable mortgage payment. It’s not uncommon…

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Scott Sheldon's The Mortgage FIles Blog

What The Election Means For Mortgage Rates

By Scott Sheldon / October 21, 2012

Two questions on every mortgage applicants’ mind  “where are mortgage rates? Does it make sense to wait till after the presidential election to complete my purchase or refinance? Let’s be clear about one underlining theme.. Its how the election’s results will be perceived by the markets that could cause mortgage rates to move Let’s explore…

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