The Mortgage Files

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

what to know before you consider doing a forbearance

Be careful going into forbearance

By Scott Sheldon / March 25, 2021

Well, times are definitely changing and one of the biggest challenges to buying a new home or refinancing a mortgage is forbearance. The federal government has allowed borrowers to do mortgage payment deferrals, but that comes at a cost. If you have forbearance on your mortgage right now or if you’re thinking about going into…

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how to figure out mortgage rates

Here’s what you need to understand about today’s mortgage rate environment

By Scott Sheldon / March 19, 2021

Interest rates are presently unstable. As a result of this instability brought on by some of the global and national events, we are in a very unique situation where rates literally from one day to another multiple times per day. The market for hunting for terms and price above all else was in 2020.  Here’s…

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Buying a home successfully requires a few steps

How to be a successful home buyer in 2021

By Scott Sheldon / February 22, 2021

If you want to be a successful home buyer, here are the following things you need to be aware of if you want to buy a house in 2021… It goes without saying interest rates are at extremely low levels. Those low-interest rates are fueling demand for housing. So let’s say you’re pre-approved and you’re out…

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Mortgage and Lockdown viewed on tablet device

How to get a mortgage with a forbearance due to Covid_19

By Scott Sheldon / February 3, 2021

One of the big challenges of the coronavirus pandemic is how it has shaped not the mortgage industry but also peoples’ financial ability to sustain mortgage payments. Credit risk is and was and is still currently an issue for many families and banks and lenders across the country. If you’re trying to refinance your mortgage…

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Mortgage Loan Application

Should you buy a house or refinance the one you already own in 2021?

By Scott Sheldon / January 13, 2021

With fixed-rate mortgages still at historical levels, many are considering re-evaluating their home and financial situation. One strategy might be to remodel the house you presently have another might be to acquire a new house. Here are some things to consider when exploring both options so you and your family can weigh out what makes…

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Loan Word Spelled Out in Palm of Hand

Why your side business makes getting a mortgage tougher

By Scott Sheldon / January 6, 2021

The reality of today’s mortgage market may come in the form of tough love. For many families purchasing or refinancing a home can make a huge financial impact on their life. Applying for and successfully get a home loan can be a bit tricky depending on your financial situation. Here are some things to just…

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Unlocking Dreams: A Festive Dip in Interest Rates

How to make sure your mortgage application makes sense

By Scott Sheldon / December 23, 2020

Consumers securing mortgage loan financing today at times might be frustrated with the amount of paperwork needed to get their mortgage application signed off.  As a result, you must meet ATR which is ability-to-repay requirements to secure mortgage financing. As a result, some people depending on how technical their file is may experience more paperwork…

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Home with Calculator

Why your granny unit might ding your mortgage application

By Scott Sheldon / December 17, 2020

People trying to refinance their mortgages to take advantage of favorable current market conditions might come to realize they have a problem with their house. A granny unit can be a wonderful opportunity to maintain a mortgage, drive affordability as part of the broader budget, however, if it’s not done in the right way, it…

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