The Mortgage Files

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

HARP After HAMP: How To Refinance After A Recent Loan Modification

By Scott Sheldon / June 9, 2013

Homeowners who went through difficult financial times in recent years, actually can still refinance their homes so long as their situations have changed for the better.  Many banks offered loan modifications to homeowners who otherwise couldn’t refinance due to equity position or repayment ability.  Two government programs have helped homeowners stay in their home and/or…

Home Repairs To Improve Value?

By Scott Sheldon / June 2, 2013

Home equity has come roaring back. Many, can now refinance,  others, are in a better position to sell as the intense demand for real estate continues. Everyone wants to attain maximum value for their home. So what’s the best indicator of a home’s worth?  Simple: the amount a ready, willing, and able buyer is willing…

What Internet Only Lenders Won't You: How They Really Operate

By Scott Sheldon / May 26, 2013

Obtaining a home loan requires careful consideration of not only the costs involved, but where your loan is being originated. When people think “mortgages”, they usually think of their local bank or a mortgage broker. Internet only lenders are also in the competitive mix, aggressively promoting ultra-low rates aimed at the masses. Because an internet…

The Truth About Co-Signing On Someone Else's Home Loan

By Scott Sheldon / March 31, 2013

Want to be 100% liable for someone else’s mortgage? Then cosign for them and you’ll be just as financially accountable for repaying the obligation as they are even though you are cosigning to simply assist the other party. When you cosign on a big-ticket item like a home loan, you are in essence lending your…

Why Ability To Qualify Supersedes Rate

By Scott Sheldon / March 22, 2013

Consumers shopping for a mortgage typically concentrate on attaining lowest possible interest rate. Rates have risen slightly in recent weeks as a more exuberant stock market has taken shape. Current consensus points to more consumers entering the mortgage market, motivated to take action, as a result. Factors At Work The financial markets, jobs data, and…

Top Make Sense Reasons To Refinance

By Scott Sheldon / March 15, 2013

Take heed mortgage rates are still favorable, even if you took out loan as recently as last year. When it comes to refinancing, borrowers must have two components:  loan make sense + net tangible benefit. Reasons To Remortgage Your Home Lowering Or Getting Out Of Monthly Mortgage Insurance Refinancing into a new loan with no…

#1 Worst Mistake Consumers Make When Taking Out A Mortgage, Surprising Answer

By Scott Sheldon / March 10, 2013

Tight lending guidelines, restrictive loan qualifying, and lack of available credit continues to dominate today’s world of mortgage lending. Despite the fact consumers need to show full income, all liabilities, explain previous job history, credit challenges and the list goes on, what many don’t realize, is there something else more ominous lenders’ have their feelers…

How To Buy & Transfer Family Real Estate

By Scott Sheldon / March 3, 2013

An alternative to purchasing property on the open market is to purchase family-owned property. Buying a family-owned home allows the buyer and the seller to directly set the purchase price between themselves. How To Set Up The Transaction In a family purchase buy out, relationship between parties doesn’t matter (as long as clearly explained), more…