The Mortgage Files

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

These little nuances may affect your first-time buyer mortgage options

By Scott Sheldon / February 19, 2019

Purchasing a house for the first time requires careful planning and consideration so you can make the right financial choice for you and your family. Here’s what you ought to consider when your determining whether or not you should pull the trigger on the big ticket purchase… There’s two types of mortgage loans available in…

Why you may need to pay the piper with your self-employed income for a loan

By Scott Sheldon / February 12, 2019

Applying to purchase or refinance a mortgage is going to require you providing an ample supply of credit, cash and documentable income to support the loan that you are seeking. Contrary to popular belief a mortgage loan is not made against the property, but rather against your ability to repay. Here’s some things you need…

The #1 mistake consumers make when getting a mortgage…

By Scott Sheldon / February 5, 2019

To apply for a mortgage, get approved and close escrow you must have some sense of urgency. Whether you are buying a home or refinancing a home, your mortgage application needs to get moved up the priority scale in your life. If you don’t have that sense of urgency you may leave money on the…

How much are closing costs when you purchase a house?

By Scott Sheldon / January 29, 2019

When you purchase a house, you have a down payment and closing that must be taken into consideration. Closing costs on a home purchase akin to tax, docs and licensing when you purchase a brand-new car. Here’s how to plan and budget for closing costs so you can best determine what you’re borrowing power and…

These two conventional mortgage loan programs will get you a better interest rate and terms

By Scott Sheldon / January 22, 2019

When you’re buying or refinancing a house it goes without saying you want to get a competitive interest rate with favorable terms associated with the money you are borrowing. Two programs that support your ability to do this are Fannie Mae Home Ready and Freddie Mac Home Possible. These two programs typically have about 1/4…

This change to FHA Loans might help you land a mortgage more easily

By Scott Sheldon / January 15, 2019

Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have a very conservative calculation when it comes to using rental income to qualify. Here’s what you need to know if you’re getting an FHA mortgage and you have mortgaged rental property… Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac’s mortgage calculation of use net income is super conservative and will make your…

5 quirky refinance scenarios that work

By Scott Sheldon / January 8, 2019

5 quirky refinance scenarios that work In the last few years mortgage lending guidelines have begun to loosen as the broader economy is stronger now that the recession has past. Following refinance scenarios are eligible for financing… Cash-out refinancing followed by cash-out refinancing just six months after. You heard that right you can do a…

FHA Loan Limits for 2019 increase

By Scott Sheldon / December 17, 2018

HUD recently announced the FHA Loan Limits for 2019 have been increased. This increase includes VA loan limits for both refinancing and home buying. These changes will represent more opportunity for families to finance bigger mortgages going forward as the limits across the country have increased. Even the low-cost areas which represents 65% of the…