The Mortgage Files

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

How Much Down Payment Percent You Need To Buy A Home

By Scott Sheldon / August 27, 2015

Consumers looking into the possibility of buying a home should know you need less money than you think. Here’s the amount of cash you need to buy a home, and what you need to know using as little down as possible… Cash Needed Contrary to popular belief, you don’t need 20% down. The minimum down…

The Way Lenders Price & Quote Mortgages

By Scott Sheldon / August 12, 2015

Here is why your interest and fees may be different than you what you saw in the news. How rates and risk based pricing affects your loan…. Mortgage Ads & The Media When you see ultra attractive loan offers or hear the media touting the latest development in interest rates, take it with a grain…

How To Fix 4 Common Roadblocks You May Encounter On Your Mortgage

By Scott Sheldon / August 8, 2015

Applying for a residential mortgage loan these days does require heavy detailed documentation. Everything from full tax returns, to pay stubs, to bank statements to letters of explanation regarding your credit, debt, income, and assets is the norm. Here are four common underwriting roadblocks and how to fix them… Change To Income– let’s say the…

4 Things Banks Won’t Tell You About Mortgages

By Scott Sheldon / July 24, 2015

As the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau strives towards creating more transparency within the mortgage industry, these truths remain. Here are four things you won’t hear from your bank at loan application… ‘You Can Get a Better Deal Elsewhere’ Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac publish mortgagee guidelines banks use to originate loans, in order to ultimately…

How Job Proximity Plays A Role In Your Loan Approval

By Scott Sheldon / July 17, 2015

If want your loan application approved, understand it will need to pass a “reasonable man’s test.” Here is what you need to know about mortgages if you work far away from the home. Home lenders go to great lengths to represent and warrant they have met all credit criteria set forth by Fannie Mae and…

3 Real No Income, No Appraisal, No Debt Ratio Loan Programs To Know About

By Scott Sheldon / May 29, 2015

Looking to avoid all the paperwork associated with getting a mortgage? Here are three loan programs with no laundry list. See if you’re eligible… Most mortgage loan products require you to provide two years of tax returns and W-2s, 30 days of pay stubs and at least two months of bank statements to provide a…

How To Land A Mortgage Post Loan Modification

By Scott Sheldon / April 24, 2015

If you completed a loan modification in the past, you’ll need to meet certain credit thresholds to get a green light for a new loan. What to know… What Is A Loan Modification? A loan modification also known as a restructured mortgage is a loan in which the original terms of the transaction changed resulting…

When Saving Up For A Big Down Payment Does Not Make Sense

By Scott Sheldon / April 16, 2015

Saving up to buy a home down the road? That might make sense from a personal financial planning perspective, but from a pragmatic approach to actually getting your foot in the door you may want to reconsider your position. What to consider… In most cases your ability to save is going to be at a…