The Mortgage Files
Nationally syndicated mortgage news and advice from Senior Loan Officer Scott Sheldon.
How earning more income affects your ability to buy a home
If you’re thinking about purchasing a house, it’s not just your credit score and your down payment that counts, it’s also your income, as your income drives affordability. How much income you generate is going to determine whether you’re able to buy a home. Here are some things to know about income when buying a…
Read More about How earning more income affects your ability to buy a homeThis FHA lender rule could be problematic for your mortgage
If you’re applying for a residential mortgage loan and you’re looking at an FHA loan to purchase or refinance a home this lender requirement could be problematic for you as it relates to qualifying… All FHA Mortgage Lenders in the United States use a system by Hud called FHA Connection. Its database is used to…
Read More about This FHA lender rule could be problematic for your mortgageWhy Silicon Valley Bank failed and why it’s good news for mortgage rates going forward
The recent failure of Silicon Valley Bank points to a broader issue that banks particularly depository institutions face as relates to their financial stability. Here is how this benefits your finances when buying or refinancing a home… Here is how a bank works, a bank takes the depositor’s money, and lends it out. They do…
Read More about Why Silicon Valley Bank failed and why it’s good news for mortgage rates going forwardShould I pay discount points when locking my interest rate?
For those looking to purchase to refinance a home, there might be some shellshock as it relates to costs associated with getting a home loan these days. It’s no surprise we are still in an inflationary environment and home loan rates are still feeling the effects of the broader inflationary environment. As a result, you…
Read More about Should I pay discount points when locking my interest rate?FHA Mortgage Insurance Premiums reduced by 30 basis points-what this means for consumers
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…
Read More about FHA Mortgage Insurance Premiums reduced by 30 basis points-what this means for consumers5 ways you will not get a home loan to buy a home
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…
Read More about 5 ways you will not get a home loan to buy a homeWhat’s the lowest credit score to get a home loan?
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…
Read More about What’s the lowest credit score to get a home loan?Is a down payment assistance loan to buy a home a good idea?
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…
Read More about Is a down payment assistance loan to buy a home a good idea?