The Mortgage Files

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

Common questions on financed pmi mortgage loans

By Scott Sheldon / February 26, 2019

The two most common loans available in the marketplace are Conventional loans and FHA Loans. FHA Loans are insured by the Federal Housing Administration and Conventional mortgages are backed by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. When you use an FHA loan to purchase or refinance a house there is an upfront mortgage insurance premium calculated…

How much of your mortgage income should be going towards an auto loan

By Scott Sheldon / January 15, 2019

Buying a house can always be a daunting consuming feat. Caring consumer obligations such as car loans can further complicate a picture of that otherwise could be more financially lucrative. When you carry on a car debt whether it’s at lease payment or whether it’s a financed payment you’re handcuffing a portion of your future…

2019 Conforming Loan Limits Rise

By Scott Sheldon / December 4, 2018

The Federal Housing Finance Agency on November 28th raised the conforming and high balance loan limits for a Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac loans. Here’s what these changes will mean… Each year the Federal Housing Finance Agency which oversees Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac reviews and evaluates changes on whether to keep the loan amounts…

How child support and alimony can affect your ability to get a mortgage

By Scott Sheldon / October 16, 2018

How child support and alimony can affect your ability to get a mortgage When you apply to purchase or refinance a home the mortgage lender takes into consideration all your monthly fixed expenses, adds them into your housing payment and creates what’s called a debt to income ratio. Also called payment to income ratio which…

What to look for in a mortgage lender when buying a home

By Scott Sheldon / July 3, 2018

Contrary to widespread belief not all mortgage companies work the same. Buying a house is generally thought of as the most important financial transaction of your life and as such should be handled with extreme care and prudence. You want to make sure you pick the right mortgage company and more importantly the right loan…

Why the house that needs work should not be overlooked

By Scott Sheldon / June 11, 2018

If you’re purchasing a house whether it’s a primary home move up home or secondary home and the house needs work, don’t shy away from that. Here’s what you might want to think about when buying a house that needs some TLC… How bad really are the repairs? Just because you are pre-approved to purchase…

Why you need to buy a house if you have access to cash

By Scott Sheldon / March 28, 2018

Buying a house is probably the largest financial transaction most people will ever take on. Following is why you need to consider purchasing a house if you have access to cash… Buying a first home can be a pivotal moment in the milestones of life. Many people want the pride of being able to purchase…

The only 5 guaranteed ways to boost borrowing power

By Scott Sheldon / March 8, 2018

Interest rates are on the rise and the cost of funds is now hovering just below 5% on the average 30-year fixed-rate mortgage. Following are tried and true techniques you can use to improve your mortgage borrowing power. Paying off debt This one is huge. Minimum payments on car loans, student loans, credit cards and…