The Mortgage Files

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

Illustration of two houses side by side. The smaller orange house has a red “For Rent” sign in front, while the larger blue house sits beside it. The background features light clouds, trees, and grass, with bold black text above reading “Renting Out Your Current Home.

Should You Sell or Rent Out Your Current Home When Buying a New One?

By Scott Sheldon / July 17, 2025

Should You Sell Your Home or Keep It as a Rental? When you’re thinking about buying a new home and you already have a mortgage on your current property, it’s a big financial and emotional decision. Maybe your current home has become too small, there’s a lot of road noise, or your growing family simply…

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Single-story beige suburban home in Sonoma County with a 'For Sale' sign in the front yard, neatly landscaped lawn and bushes, under a clear blue sky

Why days on market (DOM) matters for Sonoma County home buyers

By Scott Sheldon / July 1, 2025

If you’re on the hunt for a home in Sonoma County, you might have noticed listings aren’t flying off the shelves as quickly as they were—yet the pace is still brisk. In May 2025, homes typically went pending in about 37 days, about six days longer than last year. That extra time isn’t just a…

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"Informational graphic titled 'How to Qualify for Two FHA Loans at the Same Time: Understanding the Exceptions,' featuring two house icons, a plus sign, and a document with a dollar symbol, set against a beige background."

How to qualify for two FHA Loans

By Scott Sheldon / June 24, 2025

Can You Have Two FHA Loans at Once? Here’s What You Need to Know FHA loans are designed to help people buy primary residences—not investment properties, second homes, or vacation getaways. That’s why, under normal guidelines, you can only have one FHA loan out at a time. But what if your life circumstances change and…

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