The Mortgage Files

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

loan process

How to get a mortgage when your self employed income is tricky

By Scott Sheldon / May 20, 2020

Not always, but traditionally, self-employed borrowers have a hard time securing mortgage loan financing. If you are filing self-employed and you are trying to get qualified for mortgage financing here are some solid tips to keep in mind… Most mortgage lenders are going to require you to provide 2 years of federal tax returns. They…

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why your mortgage goals why not happen

Types of loans you can get based on your credit score

By Scott Sheldon / October 20, 2019

Credit is one of the biggest parameters of a lender’s decision to grant you a loan approval or not. There’s a lot of misconceptions out there floating around the internet about what you can and can’t do with the type of credit that you have. Here’s some things to consider if you’re worried about your…

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why waiting for lower rates is a bad idea

Why waiting for mortgage rates to get better is a losing proposition

By Scott Sheldon / September 22, 2019

Why waiting for mortgage rates to get better is a losing proposition Purchasing or refinancing a house for many families is a staple of the American Dream. One of the best ways to gage affordability is getting a good interest rate which is a function of your total monthly mortgage payment… Mortgage rates change based…

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how to refinance with a lower appraised value

How to handle a lower home value when refinancing your mortgage

By Scott Sheldon / July 21, 2019

When you apply to refinance your house one of the risks you inevitable agree to is your application is subject to a loan to value. Here is how to handle a situation where you value is beneath initial estimates… One of the things you must have you when refinance is a loan to value determined…

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why your mortgage goals why not happen

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…

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hy to plan for the long term when buying a home

Should you do a cash-out refinance or get a home equity line of credit?

By Scott Sheldon / May 19, 2019

As mortgage rates continue to remain flat, it might not be a bad thing to consider really weighing out both options of getting a home equity line of credit or doing a Cash out refinance for that home improvement project or debt consolidation you have been thinking about. If you’re looking to pull money out…

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Why Refinancing Today Trumps Waiting for Lower Rates Tomorrow

Mortgages: why you need to read the fine print

By Scott Sheldon / May 5, 2019

Every consumer wants to get a fair and reasonable deal on the cost of borrowing funds refinance your home or purchase a home. However, what many people get fooled into is believing that whatever they’re seeing on the internet or receiving in their mailbox is is the best choice for them. Here is what you…

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what to know when getting a va mortgage

The most important things you need to know about securing a VA Mortgage

By Scott Sheldon / December 11, 2018

VA financing is the best mortgage loan program by far for mortgage Borrowers. Here are some of the nuances about VA loans that you should know if you’re considering using a VA loan for a purchase or for a refinance… The US Department of Veterans Affairs guarantees home mortgage loans for eligible military veterans up…

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