The Mortgage Files

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

FHA Mortgage Insurance Premiums reduced by 30 basis points-what this means for consumers

By Scott Sheldon / March 5, 2023

For folks looking to purchase or refinance a home with the FHA Loan, the Federal Housing Administration has just announced a reduction to their private mortgage insurance premiums by 30 basis points. This is a step in the right direction to help drive home ownership. Here is what this means for your bottom line… Presently…

5 ways you will not get a home loan to buy a home

By Scott Sheldon / February 26, 2023

Most people given a choice would desire to purchase a home, arguably, given their financial situation, and their ability to handle a monthly housing payment. Oddly enough, there are times from a lender’s perspective you might not get a home loan and it has nothing to do with your credit score, credit, history, income, or…

What’s the lowest credit score to get a home loan?

By Scott Sheldon / February 23, 2023

There is a significant amount of inaccurate information online and in the real estate community about the credit score needed to get a home loan to purchase or refinance a home. Talk to one company they’ll tell you XYZ, talk to another company they’ll tell you something else entirely, talk to another company, and you…

Is a down payment assistance loan to buy a home a good idea?

By Scott Sheldon / February 12, 2023

For those looking to purchase real estate particularly first-time home buyers, the notion of a down payment assistance loan where you need very little or no money to close escrow could be a very attractive option. Here are some things to consider if you’re evaluating a low or down-payment mortgage loan…  Down payment assistance loans…

What’s the magic interest rate to refinance your mortgage?

By Scott Sheldon / February 5, 2023

For consumers who purchased their homes or took out any kind of residential mortgage loan in 2022 the future prospect of refinancing can seem very attractive. Here are some things you might want to consider as to finding what mortgage rate is generally the best to justify moving forward on a refinance when rates drop……

Why an FHA Mortgage is by far the best out of the box loan option to buy a house

By Scott Sheldon / January 29, 2023

FHA loans which are loans ensured by the federal housing administration oftentimes have gotten a bad rap, for the costs associated with them as well as the types of properties that will be insured by the FHA. The reality of it is that the NFA chain loan is by far unequivocally the most flexible loan…

Why you might want to consider a DSCR loan to buy a rental property

By Scott Sheldon / January 22, 2023

What is a DSCR loan and how can this type of financing help you purchase a rental property portfolio? In Q3 2022, the DSCR loan emerged as a viable option for investors looking to buy a rental property who need a bit more flexibility than traditional loans backed by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. DSCR…

How does seller carry financing work to buy a home?

By Scott Sheldon / January 15, 2023

What is seller carry financing and how does it work to buy a primary home? As we enter the 2023 real estate market, creativity is the name of the game as long as interest rates remain above 6% for the average 30-year fixed-rate mortgage. Here are some things to be aware of if you’re looking…