The Mortgage Files

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

The ideal mortgage candidate

By Scott Sheldon / November 7, 2016

When it comes time to purchase or refinance a home lenders are look for a certain financial profile. Your financial profile should have these things… There is four things lenders look at when deciding whether not to grant you financing and having a balance of each will score you better terms and an easier process.…

Why using your income for a down payment may not fly

By Scott Sheldon / October 5, 2016

Working on your down payment money to buy a home? Here’s something you need to know…your paycheck can work against your down payment savings plan. Buying a home requires precision planning, good income, good credit, manageable liabilities and a healthy down payment. As much as 3.5% of the purchase price can be a big factor…

Waiting for rates to drop on a new mortgage?

By Scott Sheldon / August 31, 2016

It’s no secret interest rates are the main driver of the nation’s loan volume. Fixed rate mortgages are currently sub 4%. Here is why waiting for a better rate could be risky could move… The markets will continue to move The pricing associated with interest rates moves daily, in some cases multiple times per day.…

Getting a mortgage is still not an easy process

By Scott Sheldon / August 25, 2016

Well it might appear as though getting a mortgage is easier than it was a few years ago, the process is still dicey.  It is no secret in the industry the majority of loans do not close on time. Here’s what you need to know if you’re going to be getting a mortgage in the…

3 things you will not like about today’s mortgage process

By Scott Sheldon / July 19, 2016

These things about today’s mortgage loan process will drive you crazy. Know what lenders will want…. Patriot Act This says lenders do not make loans to drug dealers, money launderers or terrorists.  Obviously, 99.9% of today’s mortgage loan borrowers are completely on the up and up. However, this does not change the fact mortgage lenders…

This recent change just made getting a mortgage easier

By Scott Sheldon / July 12, 2016

Been turned down for a mortgage recently? Fear not, this recent change to conventional mortgages just made your chances of qualifying easier. Here is the latest … Fannie Mae recently changed their policy regarding restructured loans virtually eliminating many roadblocks. Fannie Mae had extra credit requirements in place for borrowers who had restructured mortgages in…

How to score a jumbo mortgage with less than 20% down

By Scott Sheldon / July 5, 2016

Looking to finance a big mortgage? Here’s some tips you can take to the bank… Most jumbo investors still have tight credit guidelines. Jumbo loans are any residential mortgage sizes greater than the county high balance loan limit. In Sonoma County, CA the maximum loan size for a single-family home is $554,300 making anything larger…

New underwriting guidelines coming June 25 may change your mortgage

By Scott Sheldon / April 28, 2016

New changes coming to Fannie Mae’s automated underwriting system June 25 could change the way you get a mortgage. Here’s how… Fannie Mae has announced the way they look at credit is about to change for all loan applications dated June 25, 2016 or after. Lenders use Fannie Mae’s automated underwriting system (Desktop Underwriter) for…