The Mortgage Files

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

Illustration of a renovated home vs. a home for sale as-is, with "VS." in the center.

Should You Renovate Before Selling Your Home or Sell As-Is?

By Scott Sheldon / July 10, 2025

Should You Sell Your Home As-Is or Fix It Up First? Let’s Break It Down So you’re thinking about selling your house, but you’re torn: Should you sell it as-is, or spend money fixing it up in hopes of getting a higher price? It’s a fair question—and one that a lot of homeowners wrestle with,…

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accurate mortgage rates

Why the Media is Not Your Friend When It Comes to Mortgage Rates

By Scott Sheldon / August 7, 2024

When it comes to understanding mortgage rates, relying solely on media sources can be misleading. The best barometer for where mortgage rates truly stand is the actual source: FreddieMac.com. This is the entity that buys the loans made and sold by mortgage aggregators. When you see headlines claiming that interest rates are lower or have…

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