The Mortgage Files

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

How a homeowners association payment can change your borrowing power

By Scott Sheldon / October 30, 2020

A homeowners association payment can change your borrowing power. Here’s what you might want to think about when deciding to buy a home with a home owner’s association… A homeowners association payment can make or break your ability and or your desire to purchase a home. One of the things about homeowners association payments that…

How to decide the right time to buy a home

By Scott Sheldon / October 22, 2020

One of the challenges people have when deciding to purchase a house is trying to pinpoint the right time to make the move. Everyone is in a different stage of life and pinpointing the optimal time can be a little bit tricky depending on one’s personal finances. Here are some things to consider when deciding…

Here’s 3 types of pricier mortgages

By Scott Sheldon / October 15, 2020

When you’re in the market to get new mortgage loan financing it can seem like it’s an endless navigational process to figure out what loan amount, what interest rate, what program what option is best suited to meet your needs. Here five pricier types of mortgages to be aware of… Cash-out refinances cost more because…

Common reasons buyers give to not buy a home

By Scott Sheldon / October 8, 2020

How can you determine what is the right house, the right area the right location, and the right house for you and your family? Here are tips to consider as you’re out there in the marketplace looking at houses with your real estate agent… What type of house are you looking for? Are you looking…

The catch with today’s low-interest-rate environment

By Scott Sheldon / October 2, 2020

If you’re getting a mortgage or thinking about getting any type of mortgage loan financing and you’re looking at interest rates for 30-year mortgages in the mid to s for example here’s what you need to know… Most mortgage offerings in the marketplace today at or sub 3% come with varying rates fees and in…

Can you get a mortgage if your loan is in forbearance?

By Scott Sheldon / September 23, 2020

One of the challenges of securing mortgage financing during this COVID-19 environment is forbearance. The pandemic has created some rather unprecedented and unique situations for people desiring to borrow money. If your mortgage loan is in forbearance and you’re trying to get a mortgage here’s what you need to know… First things first it doesn’t…

Can you get a mortgage if you are furloughed?

By Scott Sheldon / September 16, 2020

Many employers have furloughed employees due to work capacity, financial constraints other reasons. If you’re furloughed with your current job more than likely you’re going to have a difficult time getting a mortgage. While each individual company might have a different guideline, most lenders from a blanket standpoint have a requirement in place that you…

Types of mortgages that may cost more

By Scott Sheldon / September 9, 2020

It’s no surprise 30-year mortgage rates today are under 3% with good credit, good equity, and good income. What you might not know is that not all loan situations are considered equal. Here are the several types of financing situations that might end up costing you more money… Please know your neighbor down the street…