The Mortgage Files
Nationally syndicated mortgage news and advice from Senior Loan Officer Scott Sheldon.
What 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 mortgageWhat you need to know when buying a condo
Condo units are easier on the pocketbook than single-family residences. Condos offer home ownership at a fraction of the cost but like all real estate comes with different nuances. Here’s what you need to know when purchasing a condo unit… How much do you qualify for? This should be priority number one for all home…
Read More about What you need to know when buying a condoHow to balance a budget with a mortgage
Balancing a mortgage payment with other monthly liabilities in your life can be a balancing act. Here’s some tips to follow when trying to juggle liabilities, while still being able to save money. The ideal Financial profile is healthy blend of cash, credit and income. Simply put, the optimal financial profile would be to…
Read More about How to balance a budget with a mortgageThe new Sonoma County housing and mortgage rate market
The Sonoma County real estate market has changed considerably in the last few years. If you’re going to be purchasing or refinancing a house here is what you need to know… The median house price in Sonoma County is $670,000 brought on by a few factors. Primarily, the Sonoma County housing market over the course…
Read More about The new Sonoma County housing and mortgage rate market10 tried and true ways you could hurt your home loan
Getting a mortgage is not an effortless process, it is just not. The loan process today is an extremely compliant and very bureaucratic process that requires proof of one’s ability to repay that mortgage. Following is ten things you will want to avoid when seeking a home mortgage loan… 1. Refusal to provide documentation. The…
Read More about 10 tried and true ways you could hurt your home loanNew tax bill 2018- why people should refinance their equity lines and second mortgages
The new 2017 tax plan is spelling unwelcome news for mortgage borrowers who hold home equity lines of credit. Here is what to know if you have a home equity line of credit or a second mortgage on your home… What are home equity lines of credit? Home equity lines of credit are essentially enormous…
Read More about New tax bill 2018- why people should refinance their equity lines and second mortgagesHow your mortgage payment changes per every $100,000 in purchase price
One of the questions home buyers have when house hunting is the relationship between their monthly mortgage payment and how much purchase price they are looking to take on. Here’s what you can use as a guide when you’re house hunting to help determine that bridge that gap… In most instances, for every $100,000 of…
Read More about How your mortgage payment changes per every $100,000 in purchase priceWhat 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…
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