The Mortgage Files

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

Home inspector and contractor discussing a house inspection report."

Understanding Home Inspection Reports: Facts Buyers Must Know

By Scott Sheldon / January 8, 2025

Understanding Home Inspection Reports: Facts Buyers Must Know When buying a home, the inspection phase can feel like a whirlwind of new information. After you’ve agreed on a price with the seller, the home inspection report often provides insights you weren’t initially aware of. While valuable, these reports can sometimes lead to unnecessary worry. Here’s…

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accurate mortgage rates

Why the Media is Not Your Friend When It Comes to Mortgage Rates

By Scott Sheldon / August 7, 2024

When it comes to understanding mortgage rates, relying solely on media sources can be misleading. The best barometer for where mortgage rates truly stand is the actual source: FreddieMac.com. This is the entity that buys the loans made and sold by mortgage aggregators. When you see headlines claiming that interest rates are lower or have…

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Should You Buy a Home with a 401(k) Loan or Down Payment Assistance?

Should You Buy a Home with a 401(k) Loan or Down Payment Assistance?

By Scott Sheldon / June 26, 2024

Buying a home is a significant financial decision that requires careful planning and consideration of various financing options. Two common methods prospective homeowners might consider are borrowing from a 401(k) and utilizing down payment assistance programs. Each approach has its benefits and drawbacks, and understanding these can help you make an informed decision tailored to…

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Why These 2 factors drive housing prices above all else?

Why these 2 factors drive housing prices above all else

By Scott Sheldon / October 31, 2021

People are astonished at how housing prices are so strong right now. These 2 Housing factors are playing a very important role in the housing market. More importantly in one’s ability to decide to purchase a home Your income people. Do not buy houses unless they’re feeling good about their income. More specifically, their job…

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Stop blaming the long program because you can't get into contract. This is a real estate agent problem not a mortgage problem.

Why its a real estate problem, not a mortgage problem

By Scott Sheldon / October 20, 2021

If you’re trying to buy a home, you’re preapproved, and you’ve been making offers, but you keep losing out because you have multiple offers, here are some things you need to consider. 1st things 1st, this is provided that your loan is fully intact, that you are well qualified, and that the loan essentially is…

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How to win in today's competitive real estate market

How to win in today’s competitive real estate market

By Scott Sheldon / September 29, 2021

It’s no surprise that there’s competition in the market right now. And it’s particularly challenging to get your offer accepted to purchase a home. If you’re preapproved, using financing to buy a house and you’re having a tough time getting your offer accepted, here are a few things you can do to spruce your offer…

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