The Mortgage Files
Nationally syndicated mortgage news and advice from Senior Loan Officer Scott Sheldon.
Will a low down loan help you buy a home?
Low down-payment loans have been around much longer than most people realize. 2008 was the re-emergence of the FHA, only requiring 3.5% down. Today loans backed by the government requiring even less down are becoming popular. Here’s what you need to know if you’re working with a low down-payment loan to purchase a home… Low…
Read More about Will a low down loan help you buy a home?Why harp refinances are dwindling
One of the financial programs aimed at homeowners wishing to refinance in the economic downturn was Making Homes Affordable Harp 2. The program to this day allows people to refinance even if they are underwater. Here’s what you should know about this program… How the program works If you took out your loan May 31,…
Read More about Why harp refinances are dwindlingMake your credit fit the mortgage box
If you have some credit challenges preventing you from getting mortgage with competitive rates and fees, read on. Here are some tips you can take to the bank… Know this: you need not have perfect credit to buy a home or get a mortgage. Your credit just needs to be sufficient; good, bad, ugly or…
Read More about Make your credit fit the mortgage boxCan you benefit from an adjustable rate mortgage?
Most people who apply for mortgages base their decision on how much they can afford while keeping costs low and manageable. Here are some things to consider if you’re looking at a shorter-term financial picture… Fixed Rate vs. ARM The mortgage king is still the plain old 30 year fixed rate. On such a mortgage…
Read More about Can you benefit from an adjustable rate mortgage?Mortgages: How to find the net tangible benefit through the fees, rate and payment
When shopping for a mortgage, it’s critical to have a general understanding of how the fees, rate and payment all connect to your bottom line. Here are tips better to identify your net tangible benefit on a home loan… Rates & fees The cost of an interest rate (mortgage pricing) moves with ebb and flow…
Read More about Mortgages: How to find the net tangible benefit through the fees, rate and paymentHow Mortgage Interest Works
Mortgage interest is a double edge sword, on one hand it’s a tax-deductible expense, but by and large it is the heaviest cost of homeownership. What to pay attention to if you have not done a mortgage in a few years or bought a home before. Interest Works The Opposite Of Rent The amount of…
Read More about How Mortgage Interest WorksHere’s An Unconventional Way To Pay Off Your Home Faster Without Changing Terms
Most strategies to pay off your home involve making radical principal prepayments or moving to a shorter-term debt structure. Here is a way to refinance your home using your lender’s money. Quick Finance Lesson: Lenders generate more revenue on higher interest rate loans. The catch is, the additional revenue is not kept by the lender,…
Read More about Here’s An Unconventional Way To Pay Off Your Home Faster Without Changing TermsWill Paying Off My Mortgage Hurt My Credit Score?
No one actually wants a mortgage. A mortgage is simply a means to an end, if you don’t have the cash. Ridding yourself of the financial obligation is the next best thing, but could it come at the expense of your credit score? What to know… Mortgage Affects On Credit Score Nothing can help or…
Read More about Will Paying Off My Mortgage Hurt My Credit Score?