The Mortgage Files

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

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…

How the mortgage process could get ugly if you have a difficult picture

By Scott Sheldon / August 11, 2019

Residential Mortgages in America today are designed for families to fit a box. If your financial profile in anyway is outside of that box, you might experience what otherwise might be a very difficult and challenging process, so it’s important to know how the process works. Here’s what you ought to consider … Here’s how…

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…

The number one mistake you don’t want to make when getting a mortgage

By Scott Sheldon / July 7, 2019

It may seem for some families like purchasing a refinancing a house is an endless amount of paperwork. To most people the mortgage process probably is that complex. Here’s what you need to know when it comes time to getting a mortgage and the number one thing that you want to make sure to avoid…

Should you buy & build or buy a single family home?

By Scott Sheldon / June 23, 2019

  Purchasing a house is representative of so many different things in life depending on who you ask. Buying a lot and constructing is a monstrous project requiring long-term planning. Here’s some things to consider if you’re trying to weigh out the options… Let’s first look at the example of building home. Building a home…

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…