The Mortgage Files

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

How a recast mortgage will benefit you as a consumer

By Scott Sheldon / March 20, 2018

Deciding which mortgage company to handle your financing can often be a tedious process requiring hours of time, comparing various rates, fees, terms experience and quality of the person that you’re working with. Here is one additional factor to consider… You ought to select the lender whose terms are all woven into the fabric of…

How to omit debt when applying for a mortgage

By Scott Sheldon / March 13, 2018

To successfully procure mortgage loan financing you must have an equal blend of cash, credit and income. This blend of cash credit and income, also involves the examination of your ongoing reoccurring financial obligations. Here’s some ways to improve your borrowing by omitting monthly payment obligations for the purposes of qualifying for a mortgage… Can…

The only 5 guaranteed ways to boost borrowing power

By Scott Sheldon / March 8, 2018

Interest rates are on the rise and the cost of funds is now hovering just below 5% on the average 30-year fixed-rate mortgage. Following are tried and true techniques you can use to improve your mortgage borrowing power. Paying off debt This one is huge. Minimum payments on car loans, student loans, credit cards and…

How mortgage borrowers can hurt their chances for obtaining credit

By Scott Sheldon / March 2, 2018

Avoid these common credit blunders when applying for home loan The mortgage industry relies on accurate credit reporting to make credit decisions when granting people home mortgages. Here’s some of the things that can hurt your mortgage chances and how to not only your credit score, but your odds of getting approved… With the amount…

The new Sonoma County housing and mortgage rate market

By Scott Sheldon / February 22, 2018

The Sonoma County real estate market has changed considerably in the last few years. If you’re going to be purchasing or refinancing a house here is what you need to know… The median house price in Sonoma County is $670,000 brought on by a few factors. Primarily, the Sonoma County housing market over the course…

How you skip a payment when you refinance

By Scott Sheldon / February 16, 2018

Refinancing your house is a big decision and requires careful consideration of the mortgage loan program, interest rate, fees and more importantly the longer-term financial goals. Here’s what really happens when you refinance your house and skip a payment… Mortgage interest is calculated in arrears. Put another way, when you make mortgage payment due on…

10 tried and true ways you could hurt your home loan

By Scott Sheldon / February 12, 2018

Getting a mortgage is not an effortless process, it is just not. The loan process today is an extremely compliant and very bureaucratic process that requires proof of one’s ability to repay that mortgage. Following is ten things you will want to avoid when seeking a home mortgage loan… 1. Refusal to provide documentation. The…

Did you know the credit score you need to get a mortgage is less than 600?

By Scott Sheldon / February 5, 2018

The credit score to get a mortgage to buy a house is a lot less than you think. Here’s what the magic credit score is and what options you have available if your credit score is not the greatest and you’re looking to purchase or refinance a home… Despite what you read on the internet…