The Mortgage Files

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

6 people whose mortgage and housing advice ought to be taken with a grain of salt

By Scott Sheldon / June 20, 2018

6 people whose mortgage and housing advice ought to be taken with a grain of salt Buying a home or refinancing a mortgage is incredibly important financial decision that requires careful planning and good timing. Fact of the matter is everyone has their opinion about what you you should and should not do. Here is…

What you need to know about private mortgage insurance

By Scott Sheldon / June 5, 2018

If you’re purchasing or refinancing a house with less than 20% Equity. You’re going to be subject to having PMI. Here’s what you need to know regarding private mortgage insurance with regards to financing your house… When you have less than 20% equity on your house the mortgage company is going to require you to…

Watch out for these two sneaky mortgage practices

By Scott Sheldon / May 30, 2018

It’s no surprise the housing market has tight inventory and mortgage rates are on the rise. As the overall market continues to contract banks are coming up with innovative ways to elicit business. The following tricks are ethically questionable… The first trick banks use is associated with credit reporting. Mortgage companies must pull a copy…

The percentage down to purchase a rental property might less than you think

By Scott Sheldon / May 9, 2018

To purchase a rental property the consensus down payment needed 20%. However, the requirement to purchase a rental property is much lower than you think. Here’s what you need to know if you’re buying a rental property…. To purchase a property for rental income purposes 15% down is the requirement. If you’re purchasing a rental…

5 reasons you will not be able to buy a house in Sonoma county

By Scott Sheldon / May 3, 2018

The Sonoma County housing market has an average housing price at 648,000. Housing prices in Sonoma County are indeed expensive. Following is what you need to know if you plan to buy a house in Sonoma County in the current market… 1. You don’t have a down payment or any access to cash. In a…

What to know when co-signing on someone else’s mortgage

By Scott Sheldon / April 26, 2018

Co-signing is a way to help a family member or a friend get approved for credit. When you co-sign on someone else’s mortgage you are effectively lending a portion of your credit and income to help someone else qualify. Here’s what co-signing means when it comes time to getting a mortgage… If you have a…

How to balance a budget with a mortgage

By Scott Sheldon / April 5, 2018

  Balancing a mortgage payment with other monthly liabilities in your life can be a balancing act. Here’s some tips to follow when trying to juggle liabilities, while still being able to save money. The ideal Financial profile is healthy blend of cash, credit and income. Simply put, the optimal financial profile would be to…

How a recast mortgage will benefit you as a consumer

By Scott Sheldon / March 20, 2018

Deciding which mortgage company to handle your financing can often be a tedious process requiring hours of time, comparing various rates, fees, terms experience and quality of the person that you’re working with. Here is one additional factor to consider… You ought to select the lender whose terms are all woven into the fabric of…