The Mortgage Files

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

4% Mortgage Rate, Not Today

By Scott Sheldon / October 24, 2011

The media has been going haywire talking about the great 4% mortgage rate. While rates are extremely low, actually getting a 4% mortgage rate is something else entirely. The average interest rate people are locking in on 30 year fixed-rate money is between 4.25-4.375%. Why the disparity? Well the interest rates advertised by Fannie Mae…

Lowest APR or Lowest Mortgage Rate?

By Scott Sheldon / October 5, 2011

People purchasing and refinancing homes always are asking the question is it best to get the lowest APR or the lowest interest rate and what’s the difference? You need to make sure you are actually comparing apples to apples. If you are refinancing a home or purchasing a home you’re going to receive Truth In…

Fed's Causes Mortgage Rates To Move Again!

By Scott Sheldon / September 23, 2011

The Federal Open Market Committee announced on Wednesday of this week to leave the Federal Funds Rate unchanged within its target range of .25%. The Fed maintained an outlook for the US economy that since last month economic growth remains slow, unemployment rates remain elevated, and the housing sector remains depressed. Obviously, this is not…

Mortgage Shopping For Competitive Rates? How To Do it Right!

By Scott Sheldon / September 19, 2011

Mortgage rates and the financial markets move all day long. On any given day you can expect that mortgage rates have the ability to change several times. It is because of this when you are shopping for a home loan, you should compare a few different lenders looking at a combination of rates and costs.…

Home Mortgage Banks Are Strapped So Can Rates Get Any Lower?

By Scott Sheldon / August 30, 2011

Everyone knows our economy right now is unstable. The big question on everybody’s mind is can mortgage rates get any lower? My answer is no. I don’t see how interest rates can get any lower because of the simple fact that banks are not making money right now and they have not been making money…

*Mortgage Tip: How To Get Best Rates For Jumbo Loans

By Scott Sheldon / August 7, 2011

Here’s a mortgage tip: if you are looking for the best interest rate on a Jumbo Loan consider a 5, 7, or 10 year product. The availability of Jumbo Loans in Sonoma County through a Fannie/Freddie Lender have nearly evaporated since 2007. However in the last several months, Jumbo have re-emerged as an available product…

Low Mortgage Rates: The Debt Ceiling's Influence

By Scott Sheldon / August 3, 2011

The Debt Ceiling has resulted in low mortgage rates, get a rate quote today. For the last few weeks the Debt Ceiling news has rattled the financial markets causing the stock market to sell off. This ebb and flow of money has caused that money to flow into the bond market driving yields on bonds…

The Best Mortgage Rates Are Back….Lock In!

By Scott Sheldon / June 19, 2011

The best mortgage rates are back, lock in that great rate now! For the last few weeks, mortgage rates have been quite favorable. 30 year mortgages are now pricing under 4.5% for primary residences. This has been due to the fact the Federal Reserve is buying treasury bonds and will continue to do so only…