The Mortgage Files

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

How changing your income and job status may affect your mortgage chances

By Scott Sheldon / December 19, 2019

Securing mortgage loan financing requires an ample credit score enough equity and or down payment, but it also requires income. You must have documented proof of income as well as a two-year work history to qualify for nearly every mortgage loan program. The following scenarios could be particularly beneficial or problematic depending on your financial…

How to use rental income to qualify for a mortgage

By Scott Sheldon / September 29, 2019

How to use rental income to qualify for a mortgage Rental property is a great way to have additional streams of income and create a financial nest egg for you and your family. If you’re mortgaging a property with rental income here are some things you should be aware of when it comes time to…

Why waiting for mortgage rates to get better is a losing proposition

By Scott Sheldon / September 22, 2019

Why waiting for mortgage rates to get better is a losing proposition Purchasing or refinancing a house for many families is a staple of the American Dream. One of the best ways to gage affordability is getting a good interest rate which is a function of your total monthly mortgage payment… Mortgage rates change based…

This FHA requirement might hurt your multi unit home buying chances

By Scott Sheldon / September 13, 2019

One of the perks of getting an FHA mortgage is the ability to purchase a primary home using just 3.5% down. The math however will change if you’re buying a multi-family property… You heard that correctly. You can buy a multifamily property using an FHA-insured loan up to four units with just 3.5% down. The…

Can you use roommate income to get a mortgage?

By Scott Sheldon / March 26, 2019

Refinancing or purchasing a house requires an apple supply of cash, credit and income. Here’s what you need to know with regards to getting a mortgage loan with roommate income. Generally, to get a mortgage you cannot use roommate income to qualify. In the lending world this type of income is called border income. Most…

Should you buy a house with monthly mortgage insurance?

By Scott Sheldon / November 20, 2018

Should you buy a house with monthly mortgage insurance? Buying a home can be an expensive ordeal. You don’t necessarily need 20% down or more to purchase a house. Whether or not you should put more money down or less money down is going to depend on what your financial scenario supports and what you…

How to plan optimal the time to buy a rental property

By Scott Sheldon / October 2, 2018

Buying a rental property may or may not help you qualify for financing. Here’s what you need to know to get the most amount of bang for your buck in when buying a rental… Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have a formula that they take into consideration including depreciation, mortgage interest paid to banks, taxes,…

The credit score it takes to get a mortgage

By Scott Sheldon / August 29, 2018

To buy a house you need to have at least a good credit score, provable income that supports your ability to repay the mortgage as well as sufficient reserves and a to use for a down payment. If you’re looking to buy a house here’s what you need to know if your credit needs tender…