The Mortgage Files

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

This FHA lender rule could be problematic for your mortgage

By Scott Sheldon / March 26, 2023

If you’re applying for a residential mortgage loan and you’re looking at an FHA loan to purchase or refinance a home this lender requirement could be problematic for you as it relates to qualifying… All FHA Mortgage Lenders in the United States use a system by Hud called FHA Connection.  Its database is used to…

Is a down payment assistance loan to buy a home a good idea?

By Scott Sheldon / February 12, 2023

For those looking to purchase real estate particularly first-time home buyers, the notion of a down payment assistance loan where you need very little or no money to close escrow could be a very attractive option. Here are some things to consider if you’re evaluating a low or down-payment mortgage loan…  Down payment assistance loans…

Why an FHA Mortgage is by far the best out of the box loan option to buy a house

By Scott Sheldon / January 29, 2023

FHA loans which are loans ensured by the federal housing administration oftentimes have gotten a bad rap, for the costs associated with them as well as the types of properties that will be insured by the FHA. The reality of it is that the NFA chain loan is by far unequivocally the most flexible loan…

Why you might want to consider a DSCR loan to buy a rental property

By Scott Sheldon / January 22, 2023

What is a DSCR loan and how can this type of financing help you purchase a rental property portfolio? In Q3 2022, the DSCR loan emerged as a viable option for investors looking to buy a rental property who need a bit more flexibility than traditional loans backed by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. DSCR…

Are you self-employed and having a tough time getting a mortgage?

By Scott Sheldon / January 1, 2023

Are you self-employed and having a tough time getting a mortgage? Here’s what you need to know… When it comes to being self-employed one of the biggest challenges that you’re going to have as an entrepreneur is reporting income. The more income you show the more taxes you pay, and the more taxes you pay…

How assumable mortgage loans work

By Scott Sheldon / December 11, 2022

If you’ve been thinking about buying a home and have been discouraged about interest rates you might be able to assume the seller’s mortgage. Think it’s too good to be true? It’s not. Here’s some information that you might need to know as it relates to assuming someone else’s mortgage when buying a home… Let’s…

Is the mortgage rate or the purchase price you pay for a home more important?

By Scott Sheldon / November 13, 2022

If you’ve been thinking about purchasing a home and you’ve been on the fence because you’re just not sure about the right time, the information that’s going to follow is for you… Trying to time the market to identify a moment in time to pinpoint the right time to purchase a home is an incredibly…

Does waiting for the right time to buy a home make economic sense?

By Scott Sheldon / October 9, 2022

If you’ve been thinking about whether you should purchase a home, you might want to think about applying with a lender. This helps to get a read on where you are financial picture. If you’ve been thinking about purchasing a home, but you’re just not quite sure yet here are some things to consider…  …