The Mortgage Files

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

How to omit debt when applying for a mortgage

By Scott Sheldon / March 13, 2018

To successfully procure mortgage loan financing you must have an equal blend of cash, credit and income. This blend of cash credit and income, also involves the examination of your ongoing reoccurring financial obligations. Here’s some ways to improve your borrowing by omitting monthly payment obligations for the purposes of qualifying for a mortgage… Can…

How mortgage borrowers can hurt their chances for obtaining credit

By Scott Sheldon / March 2, 2018

Avoid these common credit blunders when applying for home loan The mortgage industry relies on accurate credit reporting to make credit decisions when granting people home mortgages. Here’s some of the things that can hurt your mortgage chances and how to not only your credit score, but your odds of getting approved… With the amount…

The new Sonoma County housing and mortgage rate market

By Scott Sheldon / February 22, 2018

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…

How you skip a payment when you refinance

By Scott Sheldon / February 16, 2018

Refinancing your house is a big decision and requires careful consideration of the mortgage loan program, interest rate, fees and more importantly the longer-term financial goals. Here’s what really happens when you refinance your house and skip a payment… Mortgage interest is calculated in arrears. Put another way, when you make mortgage payment due on…

10 tried and true ways you could hurt your home loan

By Scott Sheldon / February 12, 2018

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…

New tax bill 2018- why people should refinance their equity lines and second mortgages

By Scott Sheldon / January 16, 2018

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…

Why the credit score you think you have might not be correct for a mortgage

By Scott Sheldon / January 7, 2018

Consumers thinking about getting a mortgage should know where they stand. Here is what you might not know about your credit score when it comes to applying for a mortgage. The truth is not all credit reports are created equal. Many of the consumer credit reporting services that are available in the market place today…

2 things to watch for buying a house in 2018

By Scott Sheldon / January 1, 2018

This local county housing market continues to evolve and show strong signs of growth and appreciation. Here is what you need to know if you are going to be buying a house in 2018… Two things to watch for is interest rates and home prices. Both heavily can affect your ability to borrow and ultimately,…