The Mortgage Files
Nationally syndicated mortgage news and advice from Senior Loan Officer Scott Sheldon.
Why the media is the worst gauge for the direction mortgage rates
If you’re in the market for a mortgage, the worst gauge the direction of mortgage rates is the media. Here’s why … Mortgage rates trade in lockstep with the mortgage back securities market which changes with the ebb and flow of the stock market. As Money flows in and out of stocks, the same happens…
Read More about Why the media is the worst gauge for the direction mortgage ratesLending guidelines just got easier for conventional traditional mortgages
If you’re in the market for a mortgage and you are paying alimony, the guidelines just got easier to allow you to get a mortgage. Here’s how the new guideline will benefit you if you’re paying alimony… Previously, most mortgage companies would take an alimony payment obligation and use this debt against your income. Last…
Read More about Lending guidelines just got easier for conventional traditional mortgagesHow to decide when it’s time to get a cosigner
How to decide when it’s time to get a cosigner for your mortgage Securing mortgage financing with a unique scenario can be a challenging endeavor. If your income is not enough or your monthly expenses gobble up most your income a cosigner may be in order. Here is how to determine when you really need…
Read More about How to decide when it’s time to get a cosignerThe truth about how credit scores relate to mortgages
Credit scores are incredibly important when secure a mortgage financing. They are however only one leg of a four-leg table. Here’s what to remember about credit scores and home loans. *Credit scores for jumbo mortgages need to be at least 680 or more *Credit scores can be as low as 620 for a conforming loan…
Read More about The truth about how credit scores relate to mortgagesWhat kind of home buyer are you?
Buying a home whether it be your first home or even a second home should be done with prudence and care. You should be looking at homes that you have a shot of getting. Here’s why… In many markets, there is a lack of supply and big demand for housing. This scenario is creating multiple…
Read More about What kind of home buyer are you?Why a car lease can harm your mortgage possibilities
Unlike an auto loan, a lease is a short debt that contain a future pay off. Here is why a lease can hurt your chances of getting a mortgage… Lenders look at the minimum monthly obligations that you pay on your debts. They take those minimum payments and add those to a proposed total mortgage…
Read More about Why a car lease can harm your mortgage possibilitiesHow to get a mortgage with a credit score under 620
Here is what most banks and mortgage companies will not tell you. If you have a bad credit score they don’t want your business. It’s the truth. Every financial institution wants borrowers with good credit, a healthy down payment, a stable job and low manageable debts. The reality is that most people don’t fit the…
Read More about How to get a mortgage with a credit score under 620How Fannie Mae’s debt to income change may help you get a mortgage
Fannie Mae recently announced changes to its debt-to-income ratio policy, increasing its allowance from 45% to 50% starting on July 29th. Here is what that’s going to mean for mortgage borrowers going forward… A debt-to-income ratio is the benchmark tool lenders use to determine a borrower’s ability to repay. Such things as minimum payments on car…
Read More about How Fannie Mae’s debt to income change may help you get a mortgage