The Mortgage Files

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

Which company you chose to handle your home refinance matters

By Scott Sheldon / August 25, 2020

Should you refinance your house with the random mortgage company offering you what appears to be too good to be true? Maybe…read on. One of the things which play in the mortgage industry is lenders popping up at of nowhere when interest rates drop. Quick buck companies that solely rely on refinance activity arrive out…

Should you refinance with today’s historically low rates?

By Scott Sheldon / August 21, 2020

Many experts will tell you shouldn’t refinance unless you’re saving 1% lower in rate. With today’s interest rates being on average below 3%  here’s how you should determine whether refinancing for you and your family makes sense or not… Stop paying attention to all of the internet articles and all the so-called financial experts out…

New fee for residential conventional mortgages

By Scott Sheldon / August 13, 2020

The Federal Housing Finance Agency just rolled out August 12th, 2020 new change to conventional mortgage refinances. Here’s what you need to know going forward… Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are now assessing  50 basis points loan level pricing adjustment on all refinances for conventional loans going forward. For example, a mortgage that was offered…

How to reposition your debt to buy a home

By Scott Sheldon / August 6, 2020

Purchasing your first home or even a move-up home is no easy feat. You need to have a blend of credit, income, and manageable monthly expenses so you can support the desired house payment you’re looking to take on. The number one reason why people have a difficult time getting qualified to purchase a home,…

How to button up your finances for getting a mortgage

By Scott Sheldon / July 30, 2020

If you are trying to get a mortgage, the number one thing you need is affordability. How much you earn in relation to how much you spend can make or break your mortgage application. Here are some things to consider when you’re trying to figure out how to best improve your chances of borrowing money…

How to use a 401k for down payment to buy a home

By Scott Sheldon / July 24, 2020

Does it make sense to tap your 401k to purchase a home? For most families in America, one of the biggest Staples of wealth is a retirement account. Here is what you might want to keep in mind when you are deciding where to get funds to purchase a house… To successfully close on a…

Buying a house? Expect multiple offers

By Scott Sheldon / July 16, 2020

Believe it or not, the pandemic has created a unique situation where many markets are experiencing multiple-offer situations on properties for sale. If you’re going to get pre-approved or begin looking for a house here is what you might want to be aware of and what you can best do to position your chances of…

What to know about VA loans

By Scott Sheldon / July 9, 2020

The VA mortgage is hands-down the best mortgage loan program. Here’s what you need to know if you’re a US military veteran and you’re eligible for VA financing… The VA does not grant loans, but they guarantee loans. The Depart of Veteran’s Affairs guarantees the lender against payment default. VA loans typically have much lower…