The Mortgage Files
Nationally syndicated mortgage news and advice from Senior Loan Officer Scott Sheldon.
How your interest free consumer debt may be keeping you from buying a home
If you’re thinking about purchasing a home and you’re carrying any consumer debt, such as installment loans, personal loans, or even low-rate credit cards. These things could adversely affect your ability to purchase a home. If you carry any of these obligations and you are desiring to buy a home the following information is for…
Read More about How your interest free consumer debt may be keeping you from buying a homeHow earning more income affects your ability to buy a home
If you’re thinking about purchasing a house, it’s not just your credit score and your down payment that counts, it’s also your income, as your income drives affordability. How much income you generate is going to determine whether you’re able to buy a home. Here are some things to know about income when buying a…
Read More about How earning more income affects your ability to buy a homeThis FHA lender rule could be problematic for your mortgage
If you’re applying for a residential mortgage loan and you’re looking at an FHA loan to purchase or refinance a home this lender requirement could be problematic for you as it relates to qualifying… All FHA Mortgage Lenders in the United States use a system by Hud called FHA Connection. Its database is used to…
Read More about This FHA lender rule could be problematic for your mortgageWhy Silicon Valley Bank failed and why it’s good news for mortgage rates going forward
The recent failure of Silicon Valley Bank points to a broader issue that banks particularly depository institutions face as relates to their financial stability. Here is how this benefits your finances when buying or refinancing a home… Here is how a bank works, a bank takes the depositor’s money, and lends it out. They do…
Read More about Why Silicon Valley Bank failed and why it’s good news for mortgage rates going forwardShould I pay discount points when locking my interest rate?
For those looking to purchase to refinance a home, there might be some shellshock as it relates to costs associated with getting a home loan these days. It’s no surprise we are still in an inflationary environment and home loan rates are still feeling the effects of the broader inflationary environment. As a result, you…
Read More about Should I pay discount points when locking my interest rate?What’s the lowest credit score to get a home loan?
There is a significant amount of inaccurate information online and in the real estate community about the credit score needed to get a home loan to purchase or refinance a home. Talk to one company they’ll tell you XYZ, talk to another company they’ll tell you something else entirely, talk to another company, and you…
Read More about What’s the lowest credit score to get a home loan?What’s the magic interest rate to refinance your mortgage?
For consumers who purchased their homes or took out any kind of residential mortgage loan in 2022 the future prospect of refinancing can seem very attractive. Here are some things you might want to consider as to finding what mortgage rate is generally the best to justify moving forward on a refinance when rates drop……
Read More about What’s the magic interest rate to refinance your mortgage?Why you might want to consider a DSCR loan to buy a rental property
What is a DSCR loan and how can this type of financing help you purchase a rental property portfolio? In Q3 2022, the DSCR loan emerged as a viable option for investors looking to buy a rental property who need a bit more flexibility than traditional loans backed by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. DSCR…
Read More about Why you might want to consider a DSCR loan to buy a rental property