The Mortgage Files

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

Does the house you want to buy need work?

Here’s how your homebuying options change when interest rates fall

By Scott Sheldon / August 27, 2023

You and your family are thinking about buying a home, but the prospect of a 6.5-7.0% mortgage doesn’t sound all that appealing right? Do you want interest rates to come down so you can have a more affordable mortgage? This makes sense, but it’s a deeper problem and here are some things you should be…

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Why you shouldn't be solely focused on credit when it comes to getting a mortgage

Why your credit score is not the only thing that matters when it comes to getting a mortgage loan

By Scott Sheldon / July 2, 2023

If you’re thinking about doing any kind of a mortgage loan to purchase or refinance a home, and your credit needs some work, that might be a sign to pull back, and it also might not. Here are some things to consider that go in correlation with getting a mortgage beyond your credit score. Let’s…

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Here’s how to buy a house even if you think your income may not qualify

Here’s how to buy a house even if you think your income may not qualify

By Scott Sheldon / June 18, 2023

If you’re looking to get prequalified to buy a home, one of the main elements, a lender will use to determine your ability to afford that home is your income. Your gross monthly income from your W-2 wages or your net income from your tax returns is what the lender will use as a basis…

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How to ease lending qualifications when buying a home

Here is a smart mortgage strategy for buying a home in 2023

By Scott Sheldon / June 11, 2023

If you’ve been on the fence about buying a home and you’re thinking about potentially getting prequalified. Here are some things you should give some consideration to… You might be telling yourself “I don’t want to buy a home right now because interest rates are kind of high.”  The question becomes in relation to what?…

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What the bank or credit union may not be telling about their juicy mortgage offer

What the bank or credit union may not be telling about their juicy mortgage offer

By Scott Sheldon / May 14, 2023

You just went into a contract to buy a home, and now it’s time to get a mortgage loan to close escrow. If you decide to ask your local credit union or bank for mortgage info, make sure to read all the fine print. Here is some practical information to be aware of before you…

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How to avoid common self employed mortgage mistakes

By Scott Sheldon / April 30, 2023

If you’re self-employed and trying to get prequalified to buy a home period it is not only the income you show on paper,  the total picture matters. Here’s what you need to know if you self employed and applying for a mortgage loan… You’re your own boss, you don’t work for anyone else, and you…

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5 ways ypu will not get a home loan

5 ways you will not get a home loan to buy a home

By Scott Sheldon / February 26, 2023

Most people given a choice would desire to purchase a home, arguably, given their financial situation, and their ability to handle a monthly housing payment. Oddly enough, there are times from a lender’s perspective you might not get a home loan and it has nothing to do with your credit score, credit, history, income, or…

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

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…

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