The Mortgage Files

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

Do I really need to get a second pre-approval when buying a house?

By Scott Sheldon / January 22, 2013

In short sometimes. Here’s what happens, the bank that owns the property is typically trying to control the transaction both on the listing side as well as on the buying side. Example-a bank such as Bank of America owns a house, in order for them to even consider looking at your purchase offer, they will…

Why APR is Higher Than The Interest Rate

By Scott Sheldon / January 19, 2013

The annual percentage rate is always higher than the actual interest rate, because the annual percentage rate takes into consideration all of the costs associated with financing including prepaid items such as property taxes, hazard insurance and mortgage interest lumps them all together against your loan and re-amortizes  the figures over the life of the…

Why 2013 Will Be The Year To Buy A House

By Scott Sheldon / December 23, 2012

As we round up the fiscal year 2012 and move into 2013, the next 12 months is showing compelling reasons why would-be home buyers are going to be buying more homes. In the beginning of 2012, the consensus was the real estate market was low, even flat in some parts. In summer 2012, purchase business…

What credit score do I need for a VA home loan?

By Scott Sheldon / December 18, 2012

While HUD, does not have a minimal credit score requirement for VA loans, or even FHA loans, most lenders have a credit score requirement of at least 640 or higher in order to successfully fund and close a VA home loan. If your credit score is 640 or better, you meet them credit score eligibility…

Higher Mortgage Rates For Conforming High Balance Mortgages

By Scott Sheldon / December 18, 2012

If you are in the market for a mortgage refinance or home purchase, plan to pay more if you are borrowing more than the conforming loan limit. The national conforming loan limit for the best mortgage rates is $417,000 extending through December 31, 2013. If your loan is up to $417,000 or lower, generally you’ll…

Latest Fed Meeting's Influence On Sonoma County Mortgage Rates

By Scott Sheldon / September 14, 2012

In the latest Fed meeting, Ben Bernanke and the Federal Reserve Board announced it will purchase up to $40 billion per month in additional mortgage-backed securities in an effort to further facilitate quantitative easing until the economy begins to improve. Financial markets on September 13, rallied on the news of the government’s intervention to improve…

I have given you pay stubs, why do you need W2's

By Scott Sheldon / August 24, 2012

The answer is for a few reasons: Lenders did you make sure your in the same line of work lenders need to make sure you’re doing the same type of occupation lenders need to make sure you have a history of employment with that particular employer Paystub’s are only part of the full financial picture,…

How long does a preapproval to buy a home last?

By Scott Sheldon / August 24, 2012

As long is there no changes, to your credit, debt, income or assets a preapproval is good indefinitely from the time that you originally get preapproved with a mortgage lender to the time that you get into contract purchase a home. Upon getting into contract to purchase a home, you’ll want to provide updated financial…