The Mortgage Files

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

Why the current mortgage dilemma is a bigger problem than most think!

By Scott Sheldon / July 9, 2023

If you have a really low mortgage rate on your home right now, but you want to buy another home, there needs to be some sort of justification, for giving up the historic, low-interest rate to go into a higher-priced mortgage,  here are some things consumers have to weigh out as a relates to making…

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…

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…

Is a down payment assistance loan to buy a home a good idea?

By Scott Sheldon / February 12, 2023

For those looking to purchase real estate particularly first-time home buyers, the notion of a down payment assistance loan where you need very little or no money to close escrow could be a very attractive option. Here are some things to consider if you’re evaluating a low or down-payment mortgage loan…  Down payment assistance loans…

Why an FHA Mortgage is by far the best out of the box loan option to buy a house

By Scott Sheldon / January 29, 2023

FHA loans which are loans ensured by the federal housing administration oftentimes have gotten a bad rap, for the costs associated with them as well as the types of properties that will be insured by the FHA. The reality of it is that the NFA chain loan is by far unequivocally the most flexible loan…

How a future recession may impact your plan to buy a home

By Scott Sheldon / November 20, 2022

If you’ve been thinking about purchasing a home and you’ve been on the fence because of economic conditions. The following information could assist you in helping to determine when and/or if you should purchase a home… The concern many home buyers have right now is “I want to wait and see”.  Purchasing a home in…

Why are current mortgage rates so high?

By Scott Sheldon / November 6, 2022

People who are thinking about getting a mortgage to buy or refinance a home are having shell shock relating to the costs associated with doing a mortgage transaction. It’s not as simple as inflation to why mortgage rates are so high. Here’s some information that explains not only why mortgage rates are so high, but…

Ways to handle a mortgage payment when buying a home

By sonomacountym / September 11, 2022

Consumers who are preapproved and looking to buy a home are sometimes getting shell shock as relates to the mortgage payment. The rate, the purchase price, and the cash-to-close may change the cost to buy a home. Here are things you might want to do if you are buying a house… We are presently in…