The Mortgage Files

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

Should you cash out refinance or get a home equity line of credit?

Should you cash out refinance or get a home equity line of credit?

By Scott Sheldon / August 28, 2022

Inflation is hitting consumers right and left. Seems like everything is going up these days and one of the most expensive types of debt has just got even more expensive- consumer loans. If you have consumer loans including student loans, personal loans, even a home equity line of credit, or credit cards expect the costs…

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What are the financial risks in buying a home today?

What are the risks of buying a home?

By Scott Sheldon / August 24, 2022

When you’re buying a home, you should be thinking about not just the purchase price of the house, but you should be really thinking about your household budget. Saving money and being able to have a life without letting debt get the better of you should be a goal as it relates to deciding whether…

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How to determine which mortgage loan program is best based on your credit score

Why do mortgage companies have to pull a credit report?

By Scott Sheldon / August 21, 2022

When you apply to purchase or refinance a home the mortgage company is required to pull a copy of your credit report in order to issue a credit decision. Here are things you need to be aware of as it relates to your credit report and credit score from a financial services provider…   The…

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Why chasing the utopian mortgage loan is not a practical long term solution

Why focusing on finding the right home is better solution than searching loan programs

By Scott Sheldon / August 14, 2022

Most families would agree they would prefer to buy a home vs renting a home. Buying a home is not for everyone and it does require a certain degree of financial aptitude and ability. Most people begin researching mortgage loans online. The Internet is a wonderful tool to get a feel for what you might…

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Should you buy a house or wait for the market to improve?

Should you buy a house or wait for the market to improve?

By Scott Sheldon / July 31, 2022

One of the biggest challenges is trying to pinpoint the right time to buy a home. Interest rates are in flux and housing prices are high in most markets. So, how do you decide when to pull the trigger for the big-ticket purchase? The first is to focus on the things that you can control.…

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Why you can expect your home equity line of credit to cost more

Why you can expect your home equity line of credit to cost more

By Scott Sheldon / July 24, 2022

Fed funds recently increased the rate by 75 basis points. This change to monetary policy also means your home equity line of credit costs more. The following is what you must know about a home equity line of credit… Home equity lines of credit are tied to the prime rate which is the Fed funds…

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What's the minimum down payment to buy a home?

What’s the minimum down payment to buy a home?

By Scott Sheldon / July 6, 2022

The Internet does a wonderful job of supplying different information about the minimum down payment you need to buy a home. Read one article you’ll have an idea of what it would take, read another article, and its completely different information. So, how do you assimilate an endless amount of online information as it relates…

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Federal reserve's change to policy

Federal reserve’s change to policy

By Scott Sheldon / June 19, 2022

Here is what the federal reserve’s change to monetary policy on June 15th, 2022, means for mortgage rates. If you’re buying or refinancing a home the information in this article is for you. The Federal Reserve increased interest rates on June 15th by 75 basis points. This is to curb surging inflation and tame what…

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