The Mortgage Files

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

How long does a preapproval to buy a home last?

By Scott Sheldon / August 24, 2012

As long is there no changes, to your credit, debt, income or assets a preapproval is good indefinitely from the time that you originally get preapproved with a mortgage lender to the time that you get into contract purchase a home. Upon getting into contract to purchase a home, you’ll want to provide updated financial…

What programs are available for first time home buyers today?

By Scott Sheldon / August 24, 2012

This depends on a few factors such as your credit score, income and assets. We usually recommend the following first time buyer programs, most notably the FHA program and the USDA program. These programs have very flexible credit qualifying guidelines by allowing less than perfect credit scenarios as well as flexible down payment options. For…

What is the minimum credit score I need to buy a house?

By Scott Sheldon / August 14, 2012

You will need at least at least the middle credit score of 640 or higher to buy a house. If you’re getting mortgage loan financing, such as an FHA loan or a USDA loan, the middle credit score needs to be 640 or higher. However, if you’re going with conventional financing, and you have a…

My mom is behind on her mortgage payment. How long does she have to wait to get a mortgage?

By Scott Sheldon / August 13, 2012

To secure mortgage loan today, you can have no thirty-day mortgage leads in the last 12 months. Your mom will have to wait a period of one year to be able to secure mortgage loan financing.