The Mortgage Files
Nationally syndicated mortgage news and advice from Senior Loan Officer Scott Sheldon.
Why getting a 30 year fixed rate mortgage is a smart financial move
If you’re purchasing or refinancing a house the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage was and is currently the staple of the broader mortgage market. The 30-year mortgage has its pros and cons and here is what you should know when looking at a 30-year mortgage, so you can decide what makes the most financial sense for you.…
Read More about Why getting a 30 year fixed rate mortgage is a smart financial moveWhat to know when co-signing on someone else’s mortgage
Co-signing is a way to help a family member or a friend get approved for credit. When you co-sign on someone else’s mortgage you are effectively lending a portion of your credit and income to help someone else qualify. Here’s what co-signing means when it comes time to getting a mortgage… If you have a…
Read More about What to know when co-signing on someone else’s mortgageThe only 5 guaranteed ways to boost borrowing power
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…
Read More about The only 5 guaranteed ways to boost borrowing powerHow mortgage borrowers can hurt their chances for obtaining credit
Avoid these common credit blunders when applying for home loan The mortgage industry relies on accurate credit reporting to make credit decisions when granting people home mortgages. Here’s some of the things that can hurt your mortgage chances and how to not only your credit score, but your odds of getting approved… With the amount…
Read More about How mortgage borrowers can hurt their chances for obtaining creditThese mortgage scenarios will almost always mean paying discount points
Discount point are nothing more than upfront head you pay to purchase a lower interest rate and subsequently a lower monthly payment. In some case the you may not have a choice to pay discount points. Following are those ways… It is reasonable to assume when refinancing with a lower than 660 credit score on…
Read More about These mortgage scenarios will almost always mean paying discount pointsFHFA Increases 2018 Sonoma County Loan Limits
The Federal Housing Finance Agency just released the new 2018 national loan limits. These loan limits provide increases in most counties throughout the United States. Here’s how the changes will benefit you when buying or refinancing a home. The loan limit increase changes the conforming loan limit from $424,100 to $453,100. This increase allows for…
Read More about FHFA Increases 2018 Sonoma County Loan LimitsWhat you need to know when paying off debt to buy a home
Here’s what you need to know if you’re trying to pay off debt before buying a home Paying off debt to buy house can absolutely be beneficial. Debt cripples a would-be home buyer’s ability to afford a mortgage payment. Here is how you should strategically look at paying off debt to buy a home… Mortgage…
Read More about What you need to know when paying off debt to buy a homeHow your mortgage fees are accounted for when refinancing
When you refinance your mortgage, someone is on the hook for paying fees. Who Following are the only ways loan fees can be accounted for when refinancing…. When you refinance your home closing costs are an inevitable component that must be paid for the transaction to successfully fund and close escrow. Here are the two…
Read More about How your mortgage fees are accounted for when refinancing