The Mortgage Files

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

The only 5 guaranteed ways to boost borrowing power

By Scott Sheldon / March 8, 2018

Interest rates are on the rise and the cost of funds is now hovering just below 5% on the average 30-year fixed-rate mortgage. Following are tried and true techniques you can use to improve your mortgage borrowing power. Paying off debt This one is huge. Minimum payments on car loans, student loans, credit cards and…

How mortgage borrowers can hurt their chances for obtaining credit

By Scott Sheldon / March 2, 2018

Avoid these common credit blunders when applying for home loan The mortgage industry relies on accurate credit reporting to make credit decisions when granting people home mortgages. Here’s some of the things that can hurt your mortgage chances and how to not only your credit score, but your odds of getting approved… With the amount…

Here is an easy way to save thousands in mortgage interest expense without refinancing

By Scott Sheldon / January 21, 2018

If you hate your mortgage as much as everyone else does, this article is for you. One of the things people hate about home mortgages is the amount of interest they pay over the total term of the loan. Following is a strategy to help you pay off your house faster without breaking your pocket…

These mortgage scenarios will almost always mean paying discount points

By Scott Sheldon / December 19, 2017

Discount point are nothing more than upfront head you pay to purchase a lower interest rate and subsequently a lower monthly payment. In some case the you may not have a choice to pay discount points. Following are those ways… It is reasonable to assume when refinancing with a lower than 660 credit score on…

Here is the dicey reality of renting vs buying in Sonoma County

By Scott Sheldon / November 20, 2017

Whether you buy a home or rent a home you will still have a housing payment obligation to make each month. The unfortunate reality in Sonoma County, CA is that in many cases you could be easily paying more in rent than you would for a mortgage. Not everyone who rents should be and not…

How much does it cost to refinance your mortgage?

By sonomacountym / November 14, 2017

If you’re trying to refinance your mortgage you should know what the costs are really are going to be and how they play into the mathematical equation of the total picture. Here’s what you need to know when it comes to refinancing your house and paying fees… When you refinance your house your closing costs…

How your mortgage fees are accounted for when refinancing

By sonomacountym / November 6, 2017

When you refinance your mortgage, someone is on the hook for paying fees. Who Following are the only ways loan fees can be accounted for when refinancing…. When you refinance your home closing costs are an inevitable component that must be paid for the transaction to successfully fund and close escrow. Here are the two…

The new way to buy a house in Sonoma county

By Scott Sheldon / October 31, 2017

The recent fire disasters have created housing demand not seen in Sonoma County in many years. Prior to the fires, strong competition, coupled with limited supply best described the local market. Now that the fires have wiped out 5% of the Sonoma County housing market, the problem has intensified. Here is how to win… Be…