The Mortgage Files

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

Should you buy a house or wait for the market to improve?

By Scott Sheldon / July 31, 2022

One of the biggest challenges is trying to pinpoint the right time to buy a home. Interest rates are in flux and housing prices are high in most markets. So, how do you decide when to pull the trigger for the big-ticket purchase? The first is to focus on the things that you can control.…

Freddie Mac changes to accessory dwelling units

By Scott Sheldon / June 13, 2022

On June 3rd Freddie Mac announced changes to Freddie Mac conventional mortgages for single-family homes with granny units. These changes allow for expanded financing on Freddie Mac mortgages. So, if you’re looking for a mortgage that has a single-family residence with a granny unit this information might be for you. The following changes at Freddie…

What’s going to happen with interest rates in 2022

By Scott Sheldon / January 2, 2022

One of the big questions on the minds of consumers looking to purchase or refinance a home is what’s going to happen with interest rates in 2022. Interest rates, while they remain at historical lows, may experience some movement in 2022. Here’s what you should come to expect if you’re going to be buying a…

Are you Self employed having a tough time getting a mortgage?

By Scott Sheldon / January 1, 2022

Are you self-employed in having a tough time getting a mortgage? Here’s what you need to know… When it comes to being self-employed one of the biggest challenges that you’re going to have as an entrepreneur is reporting income. The more income you show the more taxes you pay the less you have for savings…

Your choices if you’re self employed and you don’t show enough income for a mortgage

By Scott Sheldon / August 8, 2021

Mortgage companies use your net income from your tax returns to qualify you. The excuse my accountant won’t let me do that, or I have to pay more taxes is incongruent with mortgage loans. Here is what you need to know… Part of being an entrepreneur is also bearing the costs that come with it…

Why purchase price should secondary to this one thing when buying a home

By Scott Sheldon / August 1, 2021

Here is the number one thing you need to be concerned about when buying a house and it’s not the purchase price… For people buying a house, the prospect of the market being over-inflated, the market being too high, or the purchase price of the house being too much those are all concerns however, there’s…

Looking to buy a house the summer? You’ll need a down payment

By Scott Sheldon / July 3, 2021

As interest rates still remain low many people who have been on the sidelines about buying a house are now coming out of the woodwork. Maybe they’re buying a first home or a move-up home but there is strong demand for housing across the nation in every city and the county throughout the United States.…

Why not paying your self employed tax debt may cost you a mortgage  

By Scott Sheldon / June 28, 2021

When you’re self-employed and you’re looking to get a mortgage it’s super important that not only you file the right amount of income, but you also pay whatever debt is associated with the income you report, that is if you want to get a mortgage loan…If you’re self-employed and looking to buy a house or…