The Mortgage Files

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

Why failing banks is good new for mortgage rates

Why failing banks is good news for mortgage rates

By Scott Sheldon / May 22, 2023

In the last few weeks, a handful of big banks have failed including Silicon Valley bank signature bank, and now First Republic Bank. While this is not a repeat of 2008, it does signal instability in the broader mortgage market which may be good news for long-term mortgage rates. Hear some things to consider… First…

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How hourly wages impact mortgage loan approvals

Why hourly wage earners sometimes have a hard time getting a home loan

By Scott Sheldon / May 9, 2023

You’re all excited to purchase your first home, you have a good job, you have a good down payment, and you’ve got a good credit score. What could go wrong, right? Here’s an occurrence that happens pretty frequently you might not know about and more specifically what to do about it as it relates to…

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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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When you’re applying for a home loan, make sure you tell your lender everything

When you’re applying for a home loan, make sure you tell your lender everything

By Scott Sheldon / April 23, 2023

If you’re thinking about getting prequalified to buy a home, maybe you have some issues with your credit history in the past, or maybe you cosigned for someone else’s property. These are the types of things you might think might not matter to a mortgage company granting your home loan, but they do matter. If…

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fha rule mortgage loan

This FHA lender rule could be problematic for your mortgage

By Scott Sheldon / March 26, 2023

If you’re applying for a residential mortgage loan and you’re looking at an FHA loan to purchase or refinance a home this lender requirement could be problematic for you as it relates to qualifying… All FHA Mortgage Lenders in the United States use a system by Hud called FHA Connection.  Its database is used to…

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Why Silicon Valley Bank failed and why it's good news for mortgage rates going forward

Why Silicon Valley Bank failed and why it’s good news for mortgage rates going forward

By Scott Sheldon / March 19, 2023

The recent failure of Silicon Valley Bank points to a broader issue that banks particularly depository institutions face as relates to their financial stability. Here is how this benefits your finances when buying or refinancing a home… Here is how a bank works, a bank takes the depositor’s money, and lends it out. They do…

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locking mortgage rate with discount points

Should I pay discount points when locking my interest rate?

By Scott Sheldon / March 12, 2023

For those looking to purchase to refinance a home, there might be some shellshock as it relates to costs associated with getting a home loan these days. It’s no surprise we are still in an inflationary environment and home loan rates are still feeling the effects of the broader inflationary environment. As a result, you…

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What’s the lowest credit score to get a home loan?

What’s the lowest credit score to get a home loan?

By Scott Sheldon / February 23, 2023

There is a significant amount of inaccurate information online and in the real estate community about the credit score needed to get a home loan to purchase or refinance a home. Talk to one company they’ll tell you XYZ, talk to another company they’ll tell you something else entirely, talk to another company, and you…

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