The Mortgage Files

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

Should You Buy a Rental Property for Cash Flow or Appreciation?

By Scott Sheldon / September 24, 2026

Cash flow and appreciation can both build wealth through rental real estate, but they work differently. Learn how to balance income, equity, financing, and tax planning.

Should You Sell or Rent Out Your Current Home When Buying a New One?

By Scott Sheldon / July 17, 2025

Should You Sell Your Home or Keep It as a Rental? When you’re thinking about buying a new home and you already have a mortgage on your current property, it’s a big financial and emotional decision. Maybe your current home has become too small, there’s a lot of road noise, or your growing family simply…

How 1031 tax-deferred exchanges work

By Scott Sheldon / August 14, 2018

A 1031 tax-deferred exchange is a deferred exchange in the gain of an investment property used to acquire another investment property. Make no mistake this is a deferment where you’re kicking the can of the paying the property taxes obligation to some point in the future when you sell the property. Here is an example…