The Mortgage Files

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

This FHA requirement might hurt your multi unit home buying chances

By Scott Sheldon / September 13, 2019

One of the perks of getting an FHA mortgage is the ability to purchase a primary home using just 3.5% down. The math however will change if you’re buying a multi-family property… You heard that correctly. You can buy a multifamily property using an FHA-insured loan up to four units with just 3.5% down. The…

Why the purchase price should not be the single most important factor

By Scott Sheldon / September 8, 2019

When buying a home most would believe the number one most important thing you need to be focused on is what you pay for the house. Mom and dad who bought their house years ago, Grandma and Grandpa who bought their house back in the early 1980s when housing prices were $40,000 all have an…

How your finances matter when it comes to buying a home

By Scott Sheldon / September 1, 2019

Buying a home is quite a financial feat. It requires careful planning due diligence and making sure that it’s the right decision for you and your family. If you’re buying a home, you may to begin to prepare your finances… To get a mortgage you must have a blend of cash, credit and income. You…

Mortgage rate too good to be true? It probably is…

By Scott Sheldon / August 18, 2019

So, you got a mortgage rate that sounds too good to be true but now you can’t close Mortgage rates are presently near their historic lows on 30-year fixed rate mortgage with the average 30-year fixed being between 3.375% and 4.125%. As such people are refinancing in droves taking advantage of the dip in rates.…

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%…

Here is a legit non-traditional income program for self-employed mortgage borrowers

By Scott Sheldon / June 30, 2019

Traditionally, self-employed mortgage borrowers are more heavily scrutinized by mortgage companies because of their gyrating income. If their business stops the revenue stops and their ability to make a mortgage payment could be impacted. That’s the rationale behind why lenders look at self-employed borrowers more stringently. Lenders request both personal and or corporate returns from…

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…

Does your mortgage lender know how to do purchase business?

By Scott Sheldon / May 12, 2019

Purchasing a home is a large financial move and there is a ton of details that go into the process; including everything from getting a mortgage to finding the right house in the right neighborhood within the area and location your desiring to purchase in. Then there’s crafting the offer and packaging it in a…