The Mortgage Files

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

What type of mortgage lender are you looking for?

By Scott Sheldon / February 13, 2022

Not all mortgage companies are the same. What type of lender or mortgage professional you work with can make the difference between you being successful in your home-buying endeavor or not. You want a lender, or someone working on your behalf who has the “whatever it takes” approach to helping you with financing. No matter…

Will co-signing on someone else’s mortgage hurt my mortgage chances?

By Scott Sheldon / January 23, 2022

One of the most misunderstood things in the areas of mortgage finance is cosigning. What it means, what it does for the loan, and what it does to your financial future. It’s a bit murky what the reality is versus what you may hear or read. If you are thinking about cosigning, or you’ve been…

How to get a mortgage if your 2020 tax return was low due to covid_19

By Scott Sheldon / September 19, 2021

As we are entering into pandemic manageability, one of the things lenders are still looking for as it pertains to self-employment borrowers is positive income from your tax return… Both Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and the FHA and the VA all want two years of tax returns. Lenders also these days request a year-to-date…

Why your mortgage loan application might be delayed

By Scott Sheldon / December 7, 2020

With interest rates being at historical lows more and more people are applying for mortgages and nationally mortgage banks and lenders across the country are experiencing unprecedented amounts of volume, expect delays. If you’re purchasing or refinancing a home follow is what you need to understand and be aware of… The coronavirus pandemic has created…

Should you buy & build or buy a single family home?

By Scott Sheldon / June 23, 2019

  Purchasing a house is representative of so many different things in life depending on who you ask. Buying a lot and constructing is a monstrous project requiring long-term planning. Here’s some things to consider if you’re trying to weigh out the options… Let’s first look at the example of building home. Building a home…

Should you refinance with today’s mortgage rates?

By Scott Sheldon / June 2, 2019

The decision to refinance can be something that requires careful consideration time and energy. If you’re thinking about refinancing here’s some things to consider… What is the number one net tangible benefit to do this refinance? This is by far the most important consideration you need to ask yourself. Is it worth all the paperwork…

The #1 mistake consumers make when getting a mortgage…

By Scott Sheldon / February 5, 2019

To apply for a mortgage, get approved and close escrow you must have some sense of urgency. Whether you are buying a home or refinancing a home, your mortgage application needs to get moved up the priority scale in your life. If you don’t have that sense of urgency you may leave money on the…

How the new tax plan may affect Sonoma County home buyers

By Scott Sheldon / December 26, 2017

On December 22, 2017 president trump signed into law the new tax plan changing the tax deduction of home ownership. Here’s what this means for you and your home buying efforts in 2018 and beyond. Prior to December 22, 2017 homeowners could write-off mortgage interest for the acquisition of a primary home or a secondary home…