The Mortgage Files

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

Tips for Buying or Refinancing a Home with a Low Credit Score

By Scott Sheldon / November 26, 2024

If you’re considering buying a home or refinancing your current mortgage but have concerns about your credit score, there’s good news: you still have options. While a higher credit score certainly makes the process easier, lenders today offer flexible solutions for buyers and refinancers with credit scores that are less than perfect. Understanding how credit…

4 Signs You’re Not Ready to Buy a House

By Scott Sheldon / September 23, 2024

4 signs you’re not ready to buy a house when it comes to purchasing a home. It’s probably one of the highest-ticket purchases you’ll ever make in life, if not the most high-ticket purchase. You want to, of course, make sure that affordability is number one. This is primary, above all else. However, just because…

How to Get Pre-Approved for a Mortgage Without a Hard Credit Check

By Scott Sheldon / July 9, 2024

How to Get Pre-Approved for a Mortgage Without a Hard Credit Check In the quest for homeownership, getting pre-approved for a mortgage is a crucial step. Most mortgage companies require a hard credit check during this process, which can sometimes negatively impact your credit scores. You’ve probably seen warnings about this online. However, there are…