The Mortgage Files
Nationally syndicated mortgage news and advice from Senior Loan Officer Scott Sheldon.
FHA vs. Conventional Loans—Which Costs Less in the Long Run?
When securing a mortgage for your home, choosing between an FHA loan and a conventional loan is a critical decision that could impact your financial strategy and long-term goals. Both loan types have distinct advantages and limitations, particularly regarding down payment requirements, seller credits, and private mortgage insurance (PMI). Down Payment Differences: One of the…
Read More about FHA vs. Conventional Loans—Which Costs Less in the Long Run?How hourly wages impact mortgage loan approvals
Are you dreaming of owning your own home but finding it challenging to secure a mortgage due to your hourly wage? You’re not alone. Many individuals face hurdles in obtaining residential mortgage loans, particularly those paid hourly with varying work hours. Let’s delve into why this can be a struggle and explore potential solutions. When…
Read More about How hourly wages impact mortgage loan approvalsHow to buy a home from family without needing any cash
Have you ever considered buying a house from a family member? It’s a unique opportunity that comes with its own set of benefits and challenges. Whether you’re purchasing your childhood home from your parents or acquiring a property from a grandparent, understanding the ins and outs of this process is essential for a successful transaction.…
Read More about How to buy a home from family without needing any cashWhy being choosy as home buyer could be problematic
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…
Read More about Why being choosy as home buyer could be problematic5 signs you should wait to buy a house
If you’re thinking about buying a home, but you’re just not sure. You’re probably better off listening to your gut. That looming credit card debt, or personal loan, that you just can’t seem to kick whatever the case may be here are five reasons you might want to think about waiting to purchase a home…
Read More about 5 signs you should wait to buy a houseHere is a smart mortgage strategy for buying a home in 2023
If you’ve been on the fence about buying a home and you’re thinking about potentially getting prequalified. Here are some things you should give some consideration to… You might be telling yourself “I don’t want to buy a home right now because interest rates are kind of high.” The question becomes in relation to what?…
Read More about Here is a smart mortgage strategy for buying a home in 20235 ways you will not get a home loan to buy a home
Most people given a choice would desire to purchase a home, arguably, given their financial situation, and their ability to handle a monthly housing payment. Oddly enough, there are times from a lender’s perspective you might not get a home loan and it has nothing to do with your credit score, credit, history, income, or…
Read More about 5 ways you will not get a home loan to buy a homeIs is a second mortgage making your refinance harder? This tip may help…
Mortgage lenders sometimes take an overly gun shy approach to how a mortgage loan is originated. One such example of this is if you have a first and a second mortgage on your home. Let us say your goal is to refinance and to not get any money out but just combine the first and…
Read More about Is is a second mortgage making your refinance harder? This tip may help…