The Mortgage Files

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

The new Sonoma County housing and mortgage rate market

By Scott Sheldon / February 22, 2018

The Sonoma County real estate market has changed considerably in the last few years. If you’re going to be purchasing or refinancing a house here is what you need to know… The median house price in Sonoma County is $670,000 brought on by a few factors. Primarily, the Sonoma County housing market over the course…

How you skip a payment when you refinance

By Scott Sheldon / February 16, 2018

Refinancing your house is a big decision and requires careful consideration of the mortgage loan program, interest rate, fees and more importantly the longer-term financial goals. Here’s what really happens when you refinance your house and skip a payment… Mortgage interest is calculated in arrears. Put another way, when you make mortgage payment due on…

10 tried and true ways you could hurt your home loan

By Scott Sheldon / February 12, 2018

Getting a mortgage is not an effortless process, it is just not. The loan process today is an extremely compliant and very bureaucratic process that requires proof of one’s ability to repay that mortgage. Following is ten things you will want to avoid when seeking a home mortgage loan… 1. Refusal to provide documentation. The…

Did you know the credit score you need to get a mortgage is less than 600?

By Scott Sheldon / February 5, 2018

The credit score to get a mortgage to buy a house is a lot less than you think. Here’s what the magic credit score is and what options you have available if your credit score is not the greatest and you’re looking to purchase or refinance a home… Despite what you read on the internet…

New tax bill 2018- why people should refinance their equity lines and second mortgages

By Scott Sheldon / January 16, 2018

The new 2017 tax plan is spelling unwelcome news for mortgage borrowers who hold home equity lines of credit. Here is what to know if you have a home equity line of credit or a second mortgage on your home… What are home equity lines of credit? Home equity lines of credit are essentially enormous…

Why the credit score you think you have might not be correct for a mortgage

By Scott Sheldon / January 7, 2018

Consumers thinking about getting a mortgage should know where they stand. Here is what you might not know about your credit score when it comes to applying for a mortgage. The truth is not all credit reports are created equal. Many of the consumer credit reporting services that are available in the market place today…

2 things to watch for buying a house in 2018

By Scott Sheldon / January 1, 2018

This local county housing market continues to evolve and show strong signs of growth and appreciation. Here is what you need to know if you are going to be buying a house in 2018… Two things to watch for is interest rates and home prices. Both heavily can affect your ability to borrow and ultimately,…

How the new tax plan may affect Sonoma County home buyers

By Scott Sheldon / December 26, 2017

On December 22, 2017 president trump signed into law the new tax plan changing the tax deduction of home ownership. Here’s what this means for you and your home buying efforts in 2018 and beyond. Prior to December 22, 2017 homeowners could write-off mortgage interest for the acquisition of a primary home or a secondary home…