The Mortgage Files

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

3 pricey mortgage loan scenarios to watch for

By Scott Sheldon / November 24, 2019

When it comes to purchasing or refinancing a house one of the factors that can play a role in your ability to secure financing is your credit score, your property type and the purpose of what you’re desiring to secure that mortgage for. Here are some things to consider if you fall into one of…

How to use rental income to qualify for a mortgage

By Scott Sheldon / September 29, 2019

How to use rental income to qualify for a mortgage Rental property is a great way to have additional streams of income and create a financial nest egg for you and your family. If you’re mortgaging a property with rental income here are some things you should be aware of when it comes time to…

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…

Could the 30 year fixed mortgage get to 3%?

By Scott Sheldon / August 25, 2019

Interest rates right now are very close to their all-time historical lows. We’ve seen this a few times before. Here’s what you need to consider when getting what you perceive as the best mortgage rate… Mortgage rates are in flux and have been in flux since the United States started keeping track of these numbers…

Should you go FHA or conventional for purchasing your first home?

By Scott Sheldon / August 4, 2019

Buying your first home should be handled with extreme care including selecting which mortgage loan program makes the most financial sense. Following is what you ought to consider when looking at both mortgage loan programs … Loans backed by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are conventional loans which require a minimum down payment of 5%…

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…

Here’s the loan process and what not to do when getting a mortgage

By Scott Sheldon / June 9, 2019

When you’re getting a mortgage the process can seem a little bit scary because it’s unfamiliar and most people don’t take out mortgages that often, so the unfamiliarity of the process can seem daunting stressful and somewhat cryptic. Here is how the mortgage process works and most importantly what you should avoid doing when getting…

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…