The Mortgage Files

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

Why do I have to close my credit cards on a cash out refinance?

By Scott Sheldon / January 17, 2013

The lender wants to make sure future debt obligations do not impact the integrity of repayment on the loan they are making to you. If the lender allows you to pay off the credit card balances, who’s to say you wouldn’t take out consumer debt again and be in the same situation you’re in in…

Why am I being quoted a higher rate on my Harp 2 Refinance? I see 30 year fixed mortgages rates at 3.5%!

By Scott Sheldon / January 15, 2013

Anyone who is looking at the Harp 2 Refinance Program, stands to benefit by a tremendous amount of money. Interest rate savings of over 1% at the minimum coupled with minimum monthly payment savings of at least $300 per month or more are very common. Because this program ignores loan-to-value, which is considered an integral…

What exactly is a large cash deposit going into my bank account?

By Scott Sheldon / January 4, 2013

Large cash deposits have to be sourced and paper trailedwhether doing a purchase or refinance transaction. One of the things lenders are required to do is source all money used in a transaction even funds not being used for the transaction. For example if you’re making $5000 a month and you get a deposit in…

How do I use the Delayed Financing Rule ?

By Scott Sheldon / December 15, 2012

I am currently in Florida, in a closing debacle with Suntrust Mortgage and want to cash out our savings and just close the home purchase and be done with the process, then try to recoup funds through some type of refi or home equity product. I have been informed by our realtor of this Delayed…

My loan is through Freddie Mac, why do need I cash to close on my HARP 2 Refinance?

By Scott Sheldon / December 13, 2012

What steps can be taken if the mortgage is now Freddie Mac?  Cenlar services the loan but doesn’t do refinancing.  I tried Quicken Loans but they wanted me to come out of my pocket for a lot of money.  I have 800+ credit, working, and just want a lower payment.  The market did depress the…

Why is My Home Loan Rate 3.5%, but my APR is 3.793

By Scott Sheldon / December 11, 2012

The difference in the interest rate and the annual percentage rate is the spread expressed as a dollar finance over the life of the loan. The aPR is always going to be higher than the mortgage rate because the APR, is a function of the total closing costs express as a dollar percentage over the…

Should I get a mortgage rate quote for a refinance from my current lender?

By Scott Sheldon / December 10, 2012

Many Big mortgage lenders who service loans and originate loans such as Citibank, Wells Fargo Bank of America etc. will many times offer sales promotions to their loan servicing channel. If you ever receive a phone call from your current mortgage lender offering your mortgage rate quote or refinance or telling you there is a…

Why Can't I Get The Refi Mortgage Rate I Saw In The News?

By Scott Sheldon / December 8, 2012

“Why can’t I get the mortgage rate for my refinance I saw in the news?” This question is asked on a daily basis. When you as a homeowner have a mortgage and are paying a certain percentage of the money you originally borrowed, you’re always going to be paying a little closer attention to those…