The Mortgage Files

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

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…

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…

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…

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…

Latest Fed Meeting's Influence On Sonoma County Mortgage Rates

By Scott Sheldon / September 14, 2012

In the latest Fed meeting, Ben Bernanke and the Federal Reserve Board announced it will purchase up to $40 billion per month in additional mortgage-backed securities in an effort to further facilitate quantitative easing until the economy begins to improve. Financial markets on September 13, rallied on the news of the government’s intervention to improve…

FHA Streamline Refinances: HUD Reduces Monthly Mortgage Insurance!

By Scott Sheldon / June 15, 2012

“FHA ANNOUNCES PRICE CUTS TO ENCOURAGE STREAMLINE REFINANCING Millions of FHA borrowers could save average of $3,000 a year WASHINGTON – Today, Acting Federal Housing (FHA) Commissioner Carol Galante announced significant price cuts to FHA’s Streamline Refinance Program that could benefit millions of borrowers whose mortgages are currently insured by FHA.   Beginning June 11, 2012,…

Mortgage Rates Improve On Jobs Report

By Scott Sheldon / December 2, 2011

Mortgages rates across the board improved today on the news of the unemployment rate falling to 8.6% from 9%. The unemployment rate has not been this low for 2 1/2 years. Initially, the stock market improved on the news on .4 % change in the unemployment rate with a liquidation of bonds. During trading this…

Fed Minutes: Mortgage Rates React

By Scott Sheldon / November 23, 2011

The Federal Reserve’s minutes of the last meeting came out yesterday and it was revealed the Federal Reserve will continue to inject money into the economy to spur economic growth in the form of quantitative easing. The Fed meeting minutes also revealed they are positioning themselves to be in lockstep coordination with the financial markets.…