The Mortgage Files

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

Why interest rates probably will not go down any lower

Why interest rates will probably not get any lower

By Scott Sheldon / June 11, 2020

Interest rates are a big driver of the mortgage market. People purchasing houses and refinancing houses are taking advantage of today’s historically low rates. Here are some fundamentals you should be aware of when it comes to interest rates and what the market may or may not do going forward… First things first what drives…

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How to use seller carry financing to purchase a house with less cash down

How to use seller carry financing to purchase a house with less cash down

By Scott Sheldon / June 5, 2020

  One of the old school ways home buyers used to buy homes was to secure a first mortgage and a second mortgage via seller carry financing. The program has gone away in recent years but a re-emergence is not beginning to take shape in this 2020 market. Here’s how you need to know how…

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Minimum credit scores changing on mortgage programs to do to Coronavirus

Minimum credit scores changing on mortgage programs due to Coronavirus

By Scott Sheldon / May 12, 2020

If you are in the market for mortgage loan financing or will be in 2020 this information could be very pertinent to your situation. Here is what you need to know about what is going on right now and likely will happen throughout the rest of this year… The Coronavirus pandemic is not only a…

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How to navigate mortgage appraisal situations during the Coronavirus pandemic

How to navigate mortgage appraisal situations during the Coronavirus pandemic

By Scott Sheldon / May 2, 2020

One of the things that have changed since the coronavirus has taken shape is how mortgage lenders are viewing appraisals. If you’re buying or refinancing a home here’s what you need to know… If you have a very good strong financial package typically 20% equity with good credit score and sufficient savings in the bank…

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COVID_19 How a mortgage forbearance works

COVID_19 How a mortgage forbearance works

By Scott Sheldon / April 16, 2020

As the coronavirus continues to worsen and make life difficult for many families, one risk is the loss of income due to being furloughed or temporarily laid off. Here is what you need to know about a forbearance, what it is and how it works. You are obligated to repay the money that you borrowed…

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How to get a mortgage if you've been furloughed to do to COVID_19

How to get a mortgage if you’ve been furloughed to do to COVID_19

By Scott Sheldon / April 9, 2020

The coronavirus has undoubtedly created a significant amount of challenges for mortgage companies and families across America. Some lenders are changing credit score requirements, others are pulling out of the market entirely, and others are making restrictions on what types of loans they will fund. If you are in the process of getting a mortgage…

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Covet 19 should you be buying a house right now?

Covet 19 should you be buying a house right now?

By Scott Sheldon / March 25, 2020

Purchasing a house is a very large financial investment and it needs to be done with care and prudence. With the chaos, the doom and gloom you may be asking yourself should you buy a house? Should you wait or should you pull the trigger on the high-ticket item? Here are some things to consider…

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How to use seller carry financing to purchase a house with less cash down

Don’t make this home buying when negotiating the purchase price of a house

By Scott Sheldon / March 12, 2020

Buying a home is a high ticket purchase. It requires careful planning and due diligence. One of the biggest factors of buying a home is taking into consideration all the various reports, dates, and deadlines. It can be quite an ordeal of a process if it’s not handled correctly. Here is what to know… One…

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