The Mortgage Files

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

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…

Why your mortgage loan application might be delayed

By Scott Sheldon / December 7, 2020

With interest rates being at historical lows more and more people are applying for mortgages and nationally mortgage banks and lenders across the country are experiencing unprecedented amounts of volume, expect delays. If you’re purchasing or refinancing a home follow is what you need to understand and be aware of… The coronavirus pandemic has created…

The number one reason why you shouldn’t buy a home

By Scott Sheldon / November 19, 2020

Buying a home is a balancing act between a mortgage payment in relation to present and future expenses. One of the biggest challenges people have when buying a house is being able to plan a family budget around a mortgage payment. Real estate is not black and white, it is not linear sometimes it’s a…

Risky income moves which may prevent you from getting a mortgage

By Scott Sheldon / November 6, 2020

One of the challenges of getting mortgage loan financing these days is showing total and complete monthly income. Contrary to popular belief you must be able to support ability-to-repay (ATR) as a Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has laws in place to make sure abusive lending practices from days past don’t repeat themselves. One of the…

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…

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…

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…

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,…