The Mortgage Files

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

This change to FHA Loans might help you land a mortgage more easily

By Scott Sheldon / January 15, 2019

Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have a very conservative calculation when it comes to using rental income to qualify. Here’s what you need to know if you’re getting an FHA mortgage and you have mortgaged rental property… Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac’s mortgage calculation of use net income is super conservative and will make your…

The most important things you need to know about securing a VA Mortgage

By Scott Sheldon / December 11, 2018

VA financing is the best mortgage loan program by far for mortgage Borrowers. Here are some of the nuances about VA loans that you should know if you’re considering using a VA loan for a purchase or for a refinance… The US Department of Veterans Affairs guarantees home mortgage loans for eligible military veterans up…

2019 Conforming Loan Limits Rise

By Scott Sheldon / December 4, 2018

The Federal Housing Finance Agency on November 28th raised the conforming and high balance loan limits for a Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac loans. Here’s what these changes will mean… Each year the Federal Housing Finance Agency which oversees Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac reviews and evaluates changes on whether to keep the loan amounts…

How to lower your cash to close when buying a home

By Scott Sheldon / November 26, 2018

Purchasing a home can require a down payment plus closing costs which can equate the thousands of dollars. Here’s a way you can get your foot in the door using other people’s money… The national housing market has slowed, and refinance applications are down to the lowest level in years while purchase applications are otherwise…

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…

Why getting a 30 year fixed rate mortgage is a smart financial move

By Scott Sheldon / November 14, 2018

If you’re purchasing or refinancing a house the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage was and is currently the staple of the broader mortgage market. The 30-year mortgage has its pros and cons and here is what you should know when looking at a 30-year mortgage, so you can decide what makes the most financial sense for you.…

What to look for when getting a mortgage on a manufactured home

By Scott Sheldon / October 30, 2018

If you’re looking to borrow money to purchase or refinance a manufactured home property you’ll want to pay close attention to this information. A manufactured home is a property that was constructed in a factory moved over on a flatbed truck and then affixed to the Earth. A prefab home or modular home is a…

How child support and alimony can affect your ability to get a mortgage

By Scott Sheldon / October 16, 2018

How child support and alimony can affect your ability to get a mortgage When you apply to purchase or refinance a home the mortgage lender takes into consideration all your monthly fixed expenses, adds them into your housing payment and creates what’s called a debt to income ratio. Also called payment to income ratio which…