The Mortgage Files

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

Scott Sheldon's The Mortgage FIles Blog

What's The Maximum Debt To Income Ratio For Harp 2 Refinance Loans?

By Scott Sheldon / January 22, 2013

The Harp 2 Refinance Program allows homeowners to refinance without any loan-to-value restriction. The program is slated to expire December 31, 2013, so if you qualify, start the process now. Despite what your current mortgage lender will tell you or what you might hear in the media, the program does have debt to income requirements…

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Scott Sheldon's The Mortgage FIles Blog

How To Refinance If You Are NOT Harp 2 Eligible

By Scott Sheldon / January 20, 2013

As many now know, the Making Homes Affordable Program aka Harp 2 Refinance  allows people to refinance if their loans are owned by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac, with out any loan-to-value restriction. Successfully refinancing any occupancy home despite being underwater is quite common these days under this program. While this program, is helping many…

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Scott Sheldon's The Mortgage FIles Blog

Will "Qualified Mortgages" Help Consumers?

By Scott Sheldon / January 13, 2013

On January 10, 2013, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau unveiled new rules to help protect consumers from unscrupulous mortgage lending. These rules implement underwriting criteria what constitutes a “qualified mortgage”.  As long as the mortgage lender meets certain criteria, the consumer cannot sue a lender for not verifying income, providing a loan to a consumer…

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Scott Sheldon's The Mortgage FIles Blog

My loan is through Freddie Mac, why do need I cash to close on my HARP 2 Refinance?

By Scott Sheldon / December 13, 2012

What steps can be taken if the mortgage is now Freddie Mac?  Cenlar services the loan but doesn’t do refinancing.  I tried Quicken Loans but they wanted me to come out of my pocket for a lot of money.  I have 800+ credit, working, and just want a lower payment.  The market did depress the…

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Scott Sheldon's The Mortgage FIles Blog

HARP 2.0 Refinance: Get The "Real" Scoop

By Scott Sheldon / July 14, 2012

If you live in or own real estate in Sonoma County and need to refinance, the Harp 2.0 Refinance Program could be just the ticket to successfully reducing your interest rate and monthly mortgage payment. The Making Homes Affordable Program lifted their maximum loan-to-value requirements on March 18, 2012 for loans owned by Fannie Mae…

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