The Mortgage Files

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

What Are High-Priced Loans?

By Scott Sheldon / February 17, 2014

High priced loans by ‘industry-standard’ is any first mortgage loan that exceeds 1.5% in APR the weekly offered rate for a fixed rate or adjustable rate loan backed offered by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac. Comparing mortgages? One lender’s fees and lower rates might trigger a higher priced loan even if it seems like a…

3 Credit Scores No Longer Necessary For Mortgage Lending

By Scott Sheldon / January 19, 2014

The standard set by the lending industry is three credit scores are needed for obtaining a mortgage. Reality? That requirement is no longer  the ‘benchmark’. Securing a mortgage without three credit scores is doable, here’s how.. Credit Score Per Bureau The basis for how lenders view the credit, is the degree of likelihood of a…

2 Most Crucial Factors For Securing A Low Mortgage Rate

By Scott Sheldon / January 5, 2014

It’s not surprising interest rates are on the rise as the fed has committed to reducing their mortgage bond buying starting this month. There is an array of factors affecting a mortgage rate things like;  home occupancy, loan type, and even property type. Two factors carry the most weight when shopping mortgages… How Lender Sees…

Home Mortgage Loans That Won't Turn Back The Clock

By Scott Sheldon / November 30, 2013

Refinancing can be less appealing for many homeowners because the clock resets each time. In some circumstances, especially if you’re a few years away from paying off the home in full a refinancing may even not make sense. Ways to refi without starting the term over… The traditional 30 year fixed rate mortgage remains most…

How To Buy A Home By Selling Another

By Scott Sheldon / November 24, 2013

In the last few years, many consumers bought homes with low down payments and have seen a dramatic rise in their home-equity-opening the door to trade up to more a desirable homes and/or locations. Perhaps the family is expanding and or timing is right to trade up. As attractive as the concept sounds, due to…

Quick Way To Determine How Much Your House Must Appraise At To Refi

By Scott Sheldon / October 20, 2013

As house prices continue to rise, the chance to refinance is ever more present considering favorable rates are still at historical lows. One the biggest dilemmas Sonoma County homeowners face is having a favorable appraisal valuation to refinance. Simple calculation any homeowner can do… *Divide your current principal loan balance by .8,  doing so will…

How To Correctly Pay Off Debt When Getting A Mortgage

By Scott Sheldon / September 8, 2013

Trying to procure mortgage credit right now? From higher interest rates, to rising house prices to the contraction in buying power, securing financing, for many can prove to be no easy endeavor. As prices, and rates rise in tandem, lenders will still place the weighted emphasis on “real income” as that’s what the mortgage loan is…

Two Pricey Home Loans Consumers Should Watch For

By Scott Sheldon / August 11, 2013

Getting a mortgage anytime soon? Two types of home loans are inherently pricier than their traditional mortgage counterparts and we’re not talking subprime or private money. If your credit score is beneath 680 or you have little equity or you have credit blemishes, fact is borrowing money will cost you… FHA Loans and Conventional Loans…