The Mortgage Files

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

Is down payment assistance worth it to a buy a home?

By Scott Sheldon / June 6, 2016

If you’re looking to buy a house with little or no cash your options may be limited. Here is what you need to know to get your foot in the door, successfully… Down payment assistance programs Down payment assistance can be sponsored by a local state or government entity or entity grant. Essentially, down payment…

Mortgage after loan modification? Here’s how…

By Scott Sheldon / April 19, 2016

One of the challenges many homeowners faced in the recession was financial hardships. Loan modifications were often a short term solutions banks used for homeowners facing delinquency, income changes, or loss of home-equity. If you’ve had a loan modification in your past here’s what you need to know… What is a loan modification? A loan…

What are the initials steps I should take when deciding to get pre-approved to buy a home?

By Scott Sheldon / July 25, 2015

Great question and one that should be handled with the utmost care and integrity. First you need to get prequalified. You need to have a conversation with a mortgage professional about your credit, debt, income and assets. After determining you qualify to purchase a home, the lender would ask you to submit a loan application…

Do I Need To Provide Bank Statements For Getting A Sonoma County Loan?

By Scott Sheldon / January 21, 2015

Yes, lenders will need full supporting documentation showing cash to close and/or savings in the bank necessary for qualifying on whichever loan program you are working with. Expect lenders to require at least two months of bank statements on any monthly account, and most recent last two quarters on any quarterly accounts same goes for…

FHA Mortgage Insurance Premiums Now .85%

By Scott Sheldon / January 15, 2015

The mortgage insurance premiums on FHA loans has now been reduced .85%. This represent more borrowing ability for mortgage consumers looking to purchase or refinance their homes. On a loan of $300,000 that’s an annual reduction of $1350, or $112.50 per month respectively. Thinking about refinancing your current FHA loan from a few years ago? …

Can I buy a house if I have a rental late payment?

By Scott Sheldon / January 2, 2015

No you cannot have a rental late in the last 12 months if you are gunning to buy home. Mortgage lenders may do what’s called a verification of rent (VOR)-to make sure you have not had a late payment in the last 12 months if you have this very well might derail your loan. Additionally,…

Should I work with a mortgage broker or a mortgage lender?

By Scott Sheldon / December 28, 2014

Depends-primarily on who you feel comfortable with. Let’s be honest, this is the largest transaction most people ever take on in their entire life and should be handled with somebody who knows what they’re doing. A mortgage broker does not control their own money. Instead they act as an intermediary between you the borrower and…

How Much Are Closing Costs Going To Be On A Home Purchase?

By Scott Sheldon / December 24, 2014

This can change based on the purchase price of the homefor example if you’re looking at a house in Sonoma County, and the purchase price is $500,000 you can assume $10,000 for closing costs plus the down payment. When you buy a house down payment is always independent of the closing costs. In other words…