The Mortgage Files

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

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…

How Much Of Your Income To Be Saving For Buying A House

By Scott Sheldon / November 10, 2013

  Buying a house is still a pivotal point in life. Your funds play a key role in your ability to get a loan. If you’re serious about buying a house or will be, how much of your income you should  be saving to realistically get the keys… Ask Yourself Shorter Term Or Longer Term?…

Buying A Sonoma County Fixer? What You'll Need To Be Aware Of

By Scott Sheldon / October 6, 2013

Buying a Sonoma County fixer property?  Be prepared to do some work. What many see as a fantastic fixer-upper property, potential property issues associated with the dwelling could easily derail an appraisal and your mortgage loan. Key characteristics the property you’re interested in purchasing has some “hair on it”……………. Red Flags That Could Jeopardize Your…

How Getting Married Can Halt Your Chances Of Buying A Home

By Scott Sheldon / September 22, 2013

They popped the question, you said “I do”. Getting married is now officially happening. When you say I do, you’re not just saying I do, to that person, you’re saying I do to all their finances, positive or negative as well. Their finances are, will shape “how” or “if”you can buy that home. Why getting…

5 Flexible Ways To Come Up With A Down Payment

By Scott Sheldon / September 1, 2013

To purchase a home you will need a down payment of at least 3.5% of the purchase price. Gone are the days of no down payment alternatives, down payment assistance, and seller offered programs to come up with the money needed to close escrow. Here’s five ways to come up with the down payment to…

Slick Mortgage Rate Strategy For Buying A House

By Scott Sheldon / August 18, 2013

To say current mortgage rates are volatile, is an understatement. For the last two months there’s been strong swings in mortgage pricing, mortgage rates to very unstable. Nothing can be more frustrating for pre-approved home shopper knowing their ability to qualify and their subsequent proposed payment could change at anytime. How to deal with volatile…

Signs It's Time To Wait Applying For A Mortgage Loan

By Scott Sheldon / August 5, 2013

You’re doing everything right, you’re paying your bills on time, you earn good income, and you’re applying for a mortgage with second thoughts. Maybe you’re trying to buy a new home, and something’s just not right, perhaps the proposed new payment is a financial squeeze. Paying attention to the signs means the difference between making…

Renting? How About Buying The Buy House Instead?

By Scott Sheldon / July 8, 2013

If you have never owned a home before, or owned a home in the past, or previous circumstances require you to rent a home now, and you’re thinking about buying a home again, we have good news. An opportunity in the market is to purchase the home you live in. That’s right make a purchase…