The Mortgage Files

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

Here is the magic cash to payment formula to use when buying a home

By Scott Sheldon / April 28, 2019

Buying a house is a large financial investment. People when seeking a mortgage generally are looking to keep their payments as low as possible in relationship to their income and fixed costs. Here’s what you should look for when deciding how much cash you want to put in your home buying project… The general rule…

Why waiting to pull credit may not make sense for getting a mortgage

By Scott Sheldon / April 16, 2019

Everyone wants to be a credit expert especially when it comes time to getting a mortgage. The unfortunate truth is most people do not have the expertise or time to accurately enhance their credit scores. If you’re trying to work on your credit for getting a mortgage here’s what you should plan for… There are…

Here’s what you should be focused on when buying a home and it’s not the purchase price

By Scott Sheldon / April 5, 2019

Buying a home for the first time or even a second or third time is a detailed and meticulous endeavor that should be carefully considered by weighing out all your options. Consider this when buying a home with a mortgage… The problem homebuyers can sometimes run into is it they get so wrapped around the…

Here’s how to get the most benefit from your first-time home buyer researching

By Scott Sheldon / March 19, 2019

As a first-time home buyer taking the plunge to home ownership is a big step. You need to be feeling good about your personal debts and cash flow. Here is what you want to consider when researching so you can make the most informed home buying decision… The things you should consider when deciding whether…

Be wary about paying off this type of debt when getting a home mortgage

By Scott Sheldon / March 5, 2019

Most mortgage companies will let you pay off debt to qualify for a mortgage. The beauty of doing so is borrowing power increase. Here’s what you know when paying off debt to getting a bigger mortgage amount…. Paying off debt to qualify is a wonderful way to drive borrowing power. For example, let’s say you…

These little nuances may affect your first-time buyer mortgage options

By Scott Sheldon / February 19, 2019

Purchasing a house for the first time requires careful planning and consideration so you can make the right financial choice for you and your family. Here’s what you ought to consider when your determining whether or not you should pull the trigger on the big ticket purchase… There’s two types of mortgage loans available in…

Why you may need to pay the piper with your self-employed income for a loan

By Scott Sheldon / February 12, 2019

Applying to purchase or refinance a mortgage is going to require you providing an ample supply of credit, cash and documentable income to support the loan that you are seeking. Contrary to popular belief a mortgage loan is not made against the property, but rather against your ability to repay. Here’s some things you need…

How much are closing costs when you purchase a house?

By Scott Sheldon / January 29, 2019

When you purchase a house, you have a down payment and closing that must be taken into consideration. Closing costs on a home purchase akin to tax, docs and licensing when you purchase a brand-new car. Here’s how to plan and budget for closing costs so you can best determine what you’re borrowing power and…