The Mortgage Files

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

Pre-approved and House Hunting? How Maternity Leave Factors Into The Mix

By Scott Sheldon / November 9, 2014

Looking to buy a home with a munchkin on the way? The details of your temporary leave may impact your ability to perform when you identify a home. Here’s what you need to know when taking a maternity leave of absence and how a home loan lender will view your income status… Current Income Or…

Funky Property Types You Can Still Get A Mortgage On

By Scott Sheldon / October 13, 2014

Looking to purchase real estate other than a traditional cookie-cutter single-family home? If you’ve ever been told you can’t get residential mortgage financing on that oddball property, think again. While challenging as it may be to purchase an alternative property type with debt, it can be done. Here’s what you need to know if you…

Helping A Family Member Buy A Home? Quit Transferring Money Around

By Scott Sheldon / September 28, 2014

Family Members & Parents take heed- if you plan to help your family purchase a home, transferring money around could impede their home buying chances. What you need to know… Donor Funds Must be documented, sourced and paper trailed. Let’s say you’re helping your daughter buy her first home. The amount you plan to give…

How Much Skin In The Game To Buy A House

By Scott Sheldon / August 17, 2014

Looking to get your foot in the door? If you’re tired of paying someone else’s mortgage, now may be the time to pursue the American dream of homeownership. In fact, you need not put down 20% either. Those days are long gone. While you can always elect to put down the full 20% or more,…

Buying A Home In A Competitive Real Estate Market? Tips To Increase Your Odds

By Scott Sheldon / June 29, 2014

Demand for real estate is prevalent is many markets across the country, one of the challenges that inevitably  follows suit, is a particularly competitive real estate climate. All cash offers, offers going for thousands over list price, and a continual squeezing between affordability and prices in a given area, only adds to the frustrations many…

How To Avoid Monthly PMI With Less Than 20% Down

By Scott Sheldon / June 21, 2014

Buying a primary home?  The 20% down rule is yesterday’s news. More down payment options exist, including both government and private sector alternatives, allowing more flexible choices. Don’t be fooled however, as most of the programs that allow for less than 20% down include PMI, an added premium built into the mortgage payment. If you…

Its Not Just Your Credit Score That Counts For Getting A Mortgage

By Scott Sheldon / May 18, 2014

The credit and financial choices you make today shape your future chances of procuring credit. If have a tarnished credit history, while you still may be able to qualify, it will be a document heavy process. Little lending nuances that may arise if you have credit inconsistencies… Your Credit History Matters Importance of credit is…

Home Equity Is Back In Sonoma County- Mortgage Options Follow

By Scott Sheldon / March 28, 2014

Unlike in years past, the Sonoma County Real Estate Market continues to show strong appreciation gains. Homeowners who were upside down in 2011-2012, now have home-equity as the demand for real estate continues, despite stale inventory. If you own a house, you now have choices to protect, preserve or leverage your newly acquired home-equity. 6 Mortgage Options…