Showing posts with label Kentucky VA Home Loans. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Kentucky VA Home Loans. Show all posts

Kentucky VA Appraisal Changes for 2023 VA Mortgage Loans



Roanoke VA Regional Loan Center Fee and Timeliness Schedule Effective September 1, 2023


Fees and Timeliness for Origination Appraisals Effective for all Kentucky VA Origination appraisals, repair inspections, and compliance inspection assignments,


please see the following table


Most VA Appraisal done in Kentucky now will costs $600 and VA will require the appraiser a 10 day turn time on completing the VA appraisal report.




Most VA Appraisal done in Kentucky now will costs $600 and VA will require the appraiser a 10 day turn time on completing the VA appraisal report.

Louisville Kentucky Mortgage Lender for FHA, VA, KHC, USDA and Rural Housing Kentucky Mortgages: Kentucky VA Mortgage Qualifying Guidelines

Louisville Kentucky Mortgage Lender for FHA, VA, KHC, USDA and Rural Housing Kentucky Mortgages: Kentucky VA Mortgage Qualifying Guidelines:   NMLS ID. 57916, NMLS ID. 1364 EQUAL HOUSING LENDER CALL/TEXT 502-905-3708 www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org subject to credit and income qualifyi...


  • Min 580 FICO (Refer /Eligible thru DU or LP)- Refer Eligible
  • 580 + Cash Out Refi's up to 100% (approved eligible)
  • No DTI cap - follow AUS findings
  • VA- REFER/ELIGIBLE - 50% max ratio
  • No VOR unless required by DU findings (unless VA Refer)

How to get a Kentucky VA Home Loan?


Benefits offered through the Kentucky VA loan program include purchase loans to help you buy a home at a favorable interest rate, cash-out refinance loans which allow for cash withdrawals from your home’s equity to pay for other needs, and Interest Rate Reduction Refinance Loans (also called IRRRLs or streamline refinance loans) to help homeowners refinance an existing VA loan to a lower interest rate or more favorable terms. You may not receive cash out proceeds from an IRRRL.
 
Who is eligible for a Kentucky Home VA loan?
 
Veterans aren’t the only ones who can qualify for Kentucky VA loans. You may also be eligible if you are a current or former National Guard or Reserve member, an active duty servicemember or an eligible surviving spouse.
 
The specific benefits available will be determined by the VA based on the amount of time you (or your spouse) served or service commitment, your duty status and your character of service.
 
Check out the VA webpage for specific eligibility requirements.
Kentucky VA loan advantages for you, the buyer
VA borrowers can enjoy valuable advantages, including:
The loan limits are the amount a qualified Veteran with full entitlement may be able to borrow without making a down payment. These loan limits vary by county, since the value of a house depends in part on its location. The loan cannot exceed the limit for government-insured loans in your area. You can find a list of VA loan limits here.
 
There is no monthly Private Mortgage Insurance (“PMI”) premium requirement. You may have to pay a one-time upfront funding fee that is based on the nature of your military service, the loan type, the size of the down payment, and whether you have used the VA loan benefit in the past.
 
VA rules limit the amount you can be charged for closing costs.
Closing costs may be paid by the seller.
The lender can’t charge you a penalty fee if you pay the loan off early.
VA may be able to provide you some assistance if you run into difficulty making payments.
The VA guarantees home loans that help active military members, veterans and surviving spouses. Kentucky VA loans don’t require a down payment or minimum credit score.
 
No matter where you are in life, that is a super line-up of advantages. If you’re eligible for a Kentucky VA loan, it makes sense to explore VA options.



How do I use the VA loan benefit to buy a home in KY?
 
Once you determine that you fit the eligibility requirements, the next step is obtaining a Certificate of Eligibility from the Department of Veterans Affairs. Your lender will need this document to verify you are eligible for VA loan benefits.


VA loan eligibility for Kentucky Mortgage?
 
If you are considering what your VA loan benefits are, the first step is to dig into the program’s eligibility requirements. The home must be for your own personal occupancy. Those eligible for VA home loans can use the loan to:
Buy a home, a condominium unit in a VA approved project
Build a home
Simultaneously purchase and improve a home
Improve a home by installing energy-related features or making energy efficient improvements
Buy a manufactured home and/or lot
To refinance an existing VA-guaranteed or direct loan for the purpose of a lower interest rate
To refinance an existing mortgage loan or other indebtedness secured by a lien of record on a residence owned and occupied by the veteran as a home
Spouses of servicemembers may also apply for VA loan benefits, subject to certain restrictions.
Once you are on track for eligibility, you will be on your way to getting into your new home–a well-deserved path for you and your family.

Kentucky VA Mortgage Guidelines For Approval

Kentucky Mortgage VA Underwriting




Major changes are as follows, but the documents have been revised throughout so it is recommended that everyone review them

Borrowers using rental income from a non-subject property to qualify need to document a minimum 2 year rental history and 3 months reserves PITI for each rental property (excluding property being vacated and turned into a rental). When no mortgage exists on a rental property, 3 months reserves must still be provided that cover taxes, insurance, HOA dues, and any other fees documented for the property. These reserves cannot come from equity, gift funds, or any loan proceeds.
  • Rental income from boarders can now be used as qualifying income provided
    • A 2 year history of tax returns can be provided showing boarder income generated by the property; AND
    • The use of the property for boarder rental cannot impair the residential nature of the property and cannot exceed 25% of the property's total floor area
  • Alimony, child support, and maintenance require at least 3 years continuance to be considered effective income.
  • For payment plans after a judgment, VA will generally require 12 months of timely payments before credit is considered reestablished. A shorter repayment history may be considered if it can be determined that the borrower addressed the judgment responsibly and began a repayment plan immediately after it was filed. If borrower has missed payments within the last 12 months, they will be ineligible for financing even if the debt is paid in full.
  • For voluntary short sales or deeds-in-lieu where the borrower was current on their payments at the time the property was surrendered, no minimum derogatory credit waiting period will be required.
  • VA's list of required Appraisal Report Contents has been updated and now includes specific photographs required on the appraisal (refer to VA Chapter 11: Topic 3: Appraisal Report Contents for full list).
  • VA Chapter 11: Topic 4: Gross Living Area has been added to provide direction in determining the Gross Living Area of the property.
  • Other sections have been updated to include guideline changes from previous VA Circulars.



Kentucky VA Mortgage Refinance

Kentucky VA Mortgage Refinance Guidelines 


Kentucky VA Mortgage Refinance Guidelines

  • At least 6 monthly payments must have been made on the original loan being refinanced; AND
  • The first payment due date of the new loan must be at least 210 days after the first payment due date of the original loan being refinanced
  • A copy of the Note from the previous loan being refinanced must be provided
  • An IRRRL refinancing a Fixed Rate Mortgage into another Fixed Rate Mortgage must result in a rate IRRL is also know as Interest Rate Reduction Loan in VA terms.
  • reduction of at least 0.5%
  • An IRRRL refinancing a Fixed Rate Mortgage into an Adjustable Rate Mortgage must result in a rate 
  • reduction of at least 2.0%
  • IRRRLs in which a Discount is being charged to the borrower will now require an Exterior-Only Appraisal to be ordered
  1. If the Discount being charged is 1% or less, the loan will be limited to 100% LTV based on the value of the Exterior-Only Appraisal
  2. If the Discount being charged is more than 1%, the loan will be limited to 90% LTV based on the value of the Exterior-Only Appraisal
  • Loan must current be guaranteed by VA and must be current
  • Closing costs must be recouped within 36 months
  • Proposed P&I payment must be less than current payment unless:
  1. Veteran refinancing ARM to Fixed
  2. Term of IRRRL is shorter than existing loan as long as payment does not increase over 20%
  3. Energy efficiency improvements are included in the IRRRL


VA Guaranteed by the Veterans Administration for qualified military veterans. No down payment if the property appraises for the sale price or greater. Credit underwriting is flexible. No Minimum credit score for VA loans, but lenders will create overlays to protect their selling ability to VA for delinquent mortgage loans sold to VA. A lot of VA lenders want a 620 credit score, with some going down to 580, and a few will do down below that but very difficult to get approved with a VA lender. No monthly mortgage insurance payments are required, however they're upfront funding fees that range anywhere from 2.1% to 3.3% based on previous use or first time use of VA eligibility to buy a home, or if you are disabled, you may have not to pay this at all.

The VA Certificate of Eligibility will show if you have to pay a funding fee to VA or if you are exempt.



Kentucky VA Mortgage Guidelines for Student Loan Payments

Clarification and New Policy for Student Loan Debts and Obligations

Kentucky VA Mortgage Guidelines for Student Loan Payments


 1. Purpose. The purpose of this Circular is to clarify and explain new policy regarding
student loans for the underwriting of Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) guaranteed home
loans.

 2. Background. The policy in the Lender’s Handbook- VA Pamphlet 26-7, chapter 4, section 5,
paragraph G will now be titled Student Loans. The clarification will apply to deferred student
loans and the new policy will provide guidance for student loans in repayment or, to begin
repayment within 12 months of a VA loan closing. Student loans under certain repayment plan
types are described at studentaid.ed.gov. This policy applies to all student loan repayment types.

 3. How to Calculate a Student Loan Monthly Payment.

 a. If the Veteran or other borrower provides written evidence that the student loan debt will be
deferred at least 12 months beyond the date of closing, a monthly payment does not need to be
considered.
 b. If a student loan is in repayment or scheduled to begin within 12 months from the date of
VA loan closing, the lender must consider the anticipated monthly obligation in the loan
analysis and utilize the payment established in paragraph (1) or (2) below. Calculate each loan
at a rate of 5 percent of the outstanding balance divided by 12 months (example: $25,000
student loan balance x 5% = $1,250 divided by 12 months = $104.17 per month is the monthly
payment for debt ratio purposes).

 (1) The lender must use the payment(s) reported on the credit report for each student loan(s) if
the reported payment is greater than the threshold payment calculation above.
 (2) If the payment reported on the credit report is less than the threshold payment calculation
above, the loan file must contain a statement from the student loan servicer that reflects the
actual loan terms and payment information for each student loan(s). The statement(s) must be
dated within 60 days of VA loan closing and maybe an electronic copy from the student loan
servicer’s website or a printed statement provided by the student loan servicer. It is the
lender’s discretion as to whether the credit report should be supplemented with this information





http://www.emailmeform.com/builder/form/0bfJs9b6bK8TGoc6mQk9hIu

Joel Lobb (NMLS#57916)
Senior  Loan Officer

American Mortgage Solutions, Inc.
10602 Timberwood Circle Suite 3
Louisville, KY 40223
Company ID #1364 MB73346


Text/call 502-905-3708

 kentuckyloan@gmail.com



http://www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org/

Disclaimer: No statement on this site is a commitment to make a loan. Loans are subject to borrower qualifications, including income, property evaluation, sufficient equity in the home to meet Loan-to-Value requirements, and final credit approval. Approvals are subject to underwriting guidelines, interest rates, and program guidelines and are subject to change without notice based on applicant's eligibility and market conditions. Refinancing an existing loan may result in total finance charges being higher over the life of a loan. Reduction in payments may reflect a longer loan term. Terms of any loan may be subject to payment of points and fees by the applicant  Equal Opportunity Lender. NMLS#57916 http://www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org/

-- Some products and services may not be available in all states. Credit and collateral are subject to approval. Terms and conditions apply. This is not a commitment to lend. Programs, rates, terms and conditions are subject to change without notice. The content in this marketing advertisement has not been approved, reviewed, sponsored or endorsed by any department or government agency. Rates are subject to change and are subject to borrower(s) qualification.



VA Student Loans for Kentucky Mortgage Loan Approval

 Kentucky VA Student Loans


Did you know that VA has a new policy for calculating student loan payments?

Considering the Payment:
  • If the student loan repayments are to begin within 12 months of closing, the debt will be considered.
  • If the student loan payment is being deferred for a period longer than 12 months after closing, the debt does not need to be considered.
Calculating the Payment:
  • Calculate each loan at a rate of 5% of the outstanding balance then divide that by 12 months.
            Example: $25,000 x 5% = $1,250 divided by 12 months is $104.17 per month.
  • If the student loan payment reported on the Borrower’s credit report is greater than the calculated payment, then the credit report payment will be used.
  • If the payment reported on the credit report is less than the calculated amount, the lender must require a statement (dated within 60 days of closing)  from the student loan servicer that reflects the actual terms and payment information for each student loan.
  • If the student loan payment is in an Income Based Repayment Plan and the current payment is documented to continue for at least 12 months after closing, the lender may use the IBR amount. If the payment is not expected to continue for at least 12 months after closing, a monthly statement is required. If a statement is not available, the calculation of 5% of the balance, divided by 12 will be used.
Documentation for payments and 12 months continuance will be required

For more Information see VA Circular 26.17.02 dated 1/23/17

Kentucky VA Home Loan Approval Requirements with Collections on Credit Report


Collection accounts are account for a debt that have been submitted to a collection agency by the creditor generally due to nonpayment. Below are general tips and guidance on what DU will require when collection accounts are reporting on a borrower’s credit report.

Accounts that are reported as past due but not yet turned over to a collection agency must be brought current. These past due accounts are not considered collection accounts.


Kentucky Mortgage Requirements for Collections and VA Home Loan Approval
Any collection account required by DU to be paid must be paid prior to or at closing.
Isolated collection account does not necessarily have to be paid off for the loan approval.
Borrowers with a history of collection accounts should have reestablished satisfactory credit in order to be considered a satisfactory credit risk.
Lenders/underwriters should review the complete credit history and use sound judgment to determine if the collection account poses a credit risk to the borrower’s ability to repay the loan.
If the collection account is listed on the credit report with a minimum payment, then the debt should be recognized at the minimum payment amount

Credit Requirements for a VA Mortgage Loan Approval in Kentuckygot a question, click here to ask us



Joel Lobb (NMLS#57916)

Senior Loan Officer


American Mortgage Solutions, Inc.
10602 Timberwood Circle Suite 3
Louisville, KY 40223
Company ID #1364 | MB73346



Text/call 502-905-3708

kentuckyloan@gmail.com







If you are an individual with disabilities who needs accommodation, or you are having difficulty using our website to apply for a loan, please contact us at 502-905-3708.


Disclaimer: No statement on this site is a commitment to make a loan. Loans are subject to borrower qualifications, including income, property evaluation, sufficient equity in the home to meet Loan-to-Value requirements, and final credit approval. Approvals are subject to underwriting guidelines, interest rates, and program guidelines and are subject to change without notice based on applicant's eligibility and market conditions. Refinancing an existing loan may result in total finance charges being higher over the life of a loan. Reduction in payments may reflect a longer loan term. Terms of any loan may be subject to payment of points and fees by the applicant

 Equal Opportunity Lender. NMLS#57916http://www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org/





VA Guaranteed Loan What Is a VA Guaranteed Loan?

 VA Guaranteed  Loan What Is  a  VA Guaranteed Loan? 


A VA-guaranteed loan can be  used to: 
•  Buy a home as a  primary residence  (This  can be  either existing  or  new construction.)
 •  Refinance an existing loan Benefits  of  a  VA  Guaranteed Loan
 •  No down payment,  unless: o  It is  required by  the  lender 
•  The purchase price  is  more  than the  reasonable  value  of  the property 
•  No mortgage insurance
 • Reusable
 One-time VA funding  fee  (can be  included in  the loan) o  If you receive  VA  disability compensation,  you are  exempt  from  the  VA funding fee 
•  Minimum property requirements o  Ensure  the property  is safe,  sanitary  and sound 
•  VA staff  assistance if  you become  delinquent  on your loan
 •  Can be  assumed by  qualified persons
 •  Equal opportunity for all  qualified Veterans Who Is Eligible? In  general,  the  following  people  are  eligible:
 •  Veterans who meet service length requirements 
•  Service members on  active  duty  who  have  served a  minimum period 
•  Certain Reservists and National Guard members 
•  Certain surviving  spouses  of  deceased Veterans Apply  at  va.gov to  determine your eligibility  or call 877-827-3702 for more information. Key Underwriting Criteria 
•  There is  no  maximum debt  ratio.  However,  the  lender must  provide compensating factors if  the  total  debt ratio  is more  than 41  percent.
 •  There is  no  maximum loan amount.
   •  VA’s residual  income  guidelines  ensure  Veteran borrowers  can afford the  loan and determine how  much  money a  Veteran must  have  left  over after  all  debts  and living  expenses  are  considered. 
•  There is  no  minimum  credit score  requirement. Instead,  VA requires  a  lender to review the  entire loan profile. 

For more information,  see the complete VA credit guidelines  at www.benefits.va.gov/warms/pam26_7.asp

How Can You Start  the  Process? 

VA provides policy,  guidelines  and oversight  of  the  program.  Lenders  provide  financing for eligible  Veterans.    

The  guaranty  allows Veterans to  obtain a  without  down payments or  mortgage  insurance  premiums.  
 Veterans need to  obtain a  Certificate of  Eligibility  (COE) to  prove  entitlement.  You can obtain the  COE  online  through va.gov.  
 Lenders  also have  the  ability  to  request  the  COE on your  behalf. April 20 20 Updated 2You should  talk  to  several  lenders  to  find  the  one  that  fits  your  needs.  
They  should know the  VA  loan program. 

 They should also  offer  competitive  rates  and terms. Note:  The  VA appraisal  is  not  intended  to  be  an “inspection”  of  the  property. 

Before  committing to  a  purchase  agreement,  you should get  expert  advice. 

 Talk  to  a qualified residential  inspection service.

  You should also  have  radon testing  performed. 

Can VA  Help If  You’re Having Trouble  Making Payments? 

VA  loan technicians  may  be  able  to  help  you  retain your  home  and  avoid foreclosure. Call 877-827-3702 to  speak to  a  VA loan technician. 



Uses for VA Home Loans?

VA Loans are intended to be used for the financing of a primary residences ONLY.
Occupancy by the spouse or dependent child satisfies the occupancy requirement if the
applicant is on active duty and not able to personally occupy the property.

Eligible Loan Purposes

• Purchase an existing or new construction single family detached home
• Purchase an existing or new construction condominium in a VA approved project
• Purchase an existing or new construction multi unit property (up to 4 units) ONLY if the applicant will be
occupying one of the properties
• Refinance an existing VA loan to lower the interest rate
• Refinance an existing mortgage or other debt secured by the property. The applicant must be occupying
the property.
• Cash out refinance to access the equity in a home occupied by the applicant.

In order to verify your credit history, your lender will obtain a credit report containing
information as reported by all 3 of the major credit bureaus: Trans Union, Equifax and
Experian.
Most people will have 3 credit scores but it is possible that you may have only 1 or
two scores if you have limited credit history.
This report will also include information on any public records such as bankruptcies,
judgments and tax liens.

Credit Scores
Credit Report

Though VA does not have a set minimum credit score requirements, lenders will have a minimum credit
score requirement.

General Credit Score Requirements

In addition to the credit scores, your actual credit history is also analyzed.
Collection account may need to be paid off in order to close your loan
It is preferable that the most recent 12 months show satisfactory payments and no other derogatory
information.
Credit History

If you experienced a major derogatory credit event, there will be waiting periods that will have to be
observed before you can be eligible to qualify for a loan.



Bankruptcy
Chapter 7
2 years from
discharge date

5 years from
discharge date

Bankruptcy
Chapter 13
Immediately after
discharge or
After 12 months of
payments***
5 years from
discharge date

Foreclosure*
2 years from
completion date

5 years from
completion date

Short Sale*
2 years from
completion date

5 years from
completion date

* If the foreclosure or short sale was on a VA loan, you may not have full entitlement available for the new loan
*** Must obtain written permission from the bankruptcy court/trustee and provide proof of satisfactory payment history
These

Income and Employment

Minimum History of Employment

A minimum of 2 year history in the same industry/line of work is required in most
instances but it’s not a universal rule.
Recent graduates can satisfy the two year requirement by providing proof of
schooling with a degree for the line of work you are now
employed in.
Active duty members do not need a two year history as
long as the minimum service requirement for eligibility
has been met.

Self employed borrowers must always have a two year history of self
employment and must show a two year history of filed tax returns to meet the
24 month requirement.

Income Calculations
If you are salaried, your base income will be used to qualify you for the loan.
However, if you are an hourly employee with varied hours, more than likely, your income will be averaged
over an extended period such as 18 or 24 months depending on the situation.
Overtime, bonuses, commission and part time employment must have a 24 history in order to be included
in the qualifying income. The income will be averaged out over 24 months. Verification of likelihood to
continue will also be required.
Non taxable income can be grossed up to account for the non-taxable status.


Debt to Income Ratios

A debt to income ratios is the percentage of your total debt obligation, including the new estimated
mortgage payment, all debts shown on your credit report, as well as alimony, child support etc, as
compared to your gross qualifying income.
EXAMPLE

The rule of thumb is that your debt to income ratio should not exceed 50% of the usable, gross monthly
income. However, higher percentages can be approved.
In addition to the debt to income ratio requirements, VA also has residual income requirements. VA residual
income looks at how much income is available after all monthly liabilities, including tax withholdings,
utilities and child care, are accounted for.

Residual Income By Region
For loan amounts of $80,000 and above
Family
Size

Northeast Midwest South West
1 $450 $441 $441 $491
2 $755 $738 $738 $823
3 $909 $889 $889 $990
4 $1025 $1033 $1033 $1117
5 $1062 $1039 $1039 $1158
over 5 Add $80 for each additional member up to a family of

seven
2400/5000= 48%

Deferred student loans
If student loan repayments are scheduled to
begin within 12 months of the date of loan
closing, the anticipated monthly payment will
be included.
If you are able to provide evidence that the
loan(s) will be deferred for a period outside
that time frame, the payment will not be
included.
Qualifying income: $5000
New mortgage payment: $2000
All other obligations: $400

Monthly debt payments
The payments shown on
your credit report will be
used to qualify you. If the
payments are incorrect,
you will be asked to
provide proof of the correct
payment.

Co-signed loans
If you co-signed for someone on a loan and
that loan is showing on your credit report, the
payment will be included in the ratios unless
you are able to provide evidence that the other
person on that loan has been making the
monthly payments from an account that you
are NOT a co-owner on.

Alimony/child support
You will be expected to
truthfully declare that
you pay alimony or child
support. You will be asked
to provide your divorce
decree and/or child support
order to verify the amounts.

Non-purchasing spouse
You should be aware that if you purchasing a home
in a community property state such as California
and are married, your spouse’s credit report will be
required. His/her debts will be included in the ratio
calculations even if he/she is not going to be on the
purchase or loan.


Documentation Checklist
The following is a general list of documentation required for a home loan application.

Not all items will apply to your situation

F DD214 if not active duty or Statement of service if active duty

EMPLOYMENT/INCOME

F Pay stubs (LES) for the most recent 30 days available
F W-2's for the previous two years
F Federal tax returns for the previous two years. All pages and schedules must be included
F If self-employed, provide all pages and schedules of last two years’ business tax returns and
corporate K-1's
F Award letter for Social Security benefits, disability or Pension
F Proof of receipt of child support, alimony or any other non-employment source of income

ASSETS

F Provide ALL pages of most recent 2 months’ statements for all accounts; including all checking, savings,
stocks, IRA, 401k, etc. The statements must show your name, account number and the name of the
banking institution. Any non-payroll deposits will have to be explained and documented.
F If funds to close will come from a gift, complete the gift letter (will be provided to you) and the following:
F From the donor - bank statements showing the funds in the donor's account and a copy of the check
from the donor's account
F From you - a copy of the deposit slip showing the gift check deposited into your account
F If funds to close are from sale of home
F Estimated closing statement showing anticipated proceeds
F Copy of final closing statement and deposit slip showing proceeds deposited into bank account

PROPERTY
F Select your insurance agent and provide agent's name, address, and phone number
F If refinance, or if you will be retaining your current home or own other property
F Current mortgage statement
F Copy of insurance declaration page
F If you’re currently renting, provide your Landlord’s name, phone number and address.
F 12 months canceled rent checks will be necessary

Benefits and Drawbacks of Kentucky VA Mortgage Loans

Kentucky VA Mortgage  Loans

Kentucky VA Mortgage Loan Qualifying Requirements



Why VA Loans?

First and foremost, VA loans put homeownership within reach of a wider population.
That’s because, while they’re issued and administered through a wide range of lending institutions, all VA mortgages are federally guaranteed.

Lenders consider them lower risk than other loans. That means that people with average or even below-average credit scores are more likely to be approved for a VA loan than a traditional loan.

If you have a high debt-to-income ratio or you’ve fallen behind on your credit card payments in the past, you may be eligible for a VA loan, even if you’ve been turned down for a private mortgage in the past.

What’s more, vets and active-duty soldiers can often purchase a loan with no down payment.

Military wages aren’t the most generous. In 2020, new service members earned as little as $19,000 per year, while the median salary in the US is nearly $50,000 per year.

Particularly for people who are just starting out in their military careers, it can be tough to amass enough savings to match the down payment requirements associated with traditional loans.

If you take out a private loan and put down less than 20% of your home purchase price, you’ll be required to pay for Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI) until you’ve established 20% equity in your home. That can add $100 or more to your monthly homeownership expenses.

The government stipulates that VA loan borrowers don’t have to take out PMI.
Finally, VA loan interest rates typically track below market averages. Again, that’s because lenders consider them less risky.

What can that mean in savings for you?

Here’s just one example. A 0.5% interest rate reduction on a $200,000 30-year mortgage can save you more than $19,000 in lifetime loan costs.

And that’s before you factor in PMI payments. The more you borrow, the more you benefit from a low interest rate.

The median purchase price of a US home in 2021 is over $400,000. So chances are, you could wind up saving more with a VA loan.

(Although there are many benefits, there are some disadvantages to a VA loan too. That’s why we partnered with Chris Birk of Veterans United to explain some added drawbacks that are associated with a VA loan. Courtesy of Realtor .com and YouTube. Posted on Sep 27, 2019.)


Avoid The Most Common VA Loan Mistakes

As a home buyer, the most serious mistake you can make, of course, is not investigating VA mortgages before taking out a loan.
You earned this important benefit with your service and you deserve to access it. In fact, you can access it again and again.
There is no limit on the number of VA loans you can take out in your lifetime.
So if you find you need to upsize or downsize your home or pull up stakes every couple of years—a common experience among active service members—you can take advantage of your VA loan benefit every time you buy a home.
For current homeowners who took out a traditional mortgage, not exploring the option of refinancing under the VA loan program can be another costly misstep.
Even if you took out a VA loan a few years ago, it’s smart to look into refinancing right now because mortgage interest rates have reached a near-historic low right now.
The VA makes it easy to refinance into a lower interest loan through its VA Interest Rate Reduction Loan (IRRRL) program.

How to Secure Your Best VA Loan Deal

While VA loan interest rates can be substantially lower than traditional mortgage rates, lenders offer their best interest rates to the most qualified buyers.
That’s true of any kind of loan. Before seeking a VA mortgage, do your best to make yourself as creditworthy as possible.
Lenders judge your creditworthiness largely on your credit score.

Before you begin shopping for a mortgage, download a free copy of your credit report and if your score is lower than 620, take a look at what you can do to bring it up.

Bring all of your credit accounts up to date as a first measure, but understand that late payments will affect your score for quite a few months, or even years.

You may be able to secure a lower interest rate if you keep your accounts current for a significant period before applying for a loan.

Some homebuyers have low credit scores simply because they haven’t amassed a long or varied enough credit history.

If that’s the case, you can likely raise your score by a few points by judiciously applying for small amounts of credit, such as you might be offered by Amazon, a retail store in your neighborhood, or a traditional VISA card or Mastercard.

Make small purchases and pay them off at the end of every billing cycle to establish the pattern of consistent debt repayment lenders look for.

Although the option of applying for a no-down payment loan is available through the VA program, you can also make yourself more creditworthy by putting down as large a down payment as you can afford.
Lenders prefer when they’re not the only ones invested in your home.

Be a Smart Shopper

Even among VA lenders, mortgage rates vary. It pays to shop around. If you belong to a credit union, you might start your comparison shopping there.

You may even want to join a credit union because, as not-for-profit institutions, they’re in business to serve their members and often offer lower interest rates than their commercial counterparts.
If you have an established relationship with a bank, see what kind of deal you can get there. Banks want as much of your business as they can get.

In addition, many online lenders source mortgages with multiple institutions and can be a great resource for researching the lowest rates.




How VA home loans Work

 

How VA home loans Work

For veterans, active-duty service members and some spouses, VA home loans can be a great way into homeownership. But they differ in some key ways from traditional home loans. Find out if a VA home loan is right for you, and if so, what to expect.

Transcript

If you’re thinking of buying a home, a VA home loan can help you make it happen.

Let’s take a look at what VA home loans are as well as some of the advantages they offer that traditional mortgages don’t.

A VA home loan is a loan that veterans, active duty service members and some surviving spouses are eligible to apply for. They often come with better terms than a traditional mortgage and can be easier to qualify for.

There are specific eligibility requirements in order to qualify, like the length of your service, which we cover in an accompanying checklist.

If you’re eligible, you can apply for a VA home loan at any time during or after your service when you’re looking to buy or refinance a home as long as the home will be your primary residence.

You can also use a VA home loan more than once, if, say, you end up selling one house and buying another later on.

As always there are a few exceptions. You can check the VA’s website to find out if you or the home you want to purchase might qualify.

VA home loans can offer benefits over a traditional mortgage:

One is potentially lower interest rates. Since the VA guarantees a portion of the loan, they are less risky for lenders, because the guarantee protects the lender. As a result lenders might offer you lower rates than you could get with a traditional mortgage.

Still, different lenders will offer different interest rates and terms on VA home loans, so it’s worth taking some time to shop around for the best deal.

Another potential benefit is that you aren’t generally required to make a down payment, which means you could finance 100% of the home’s value.

For a traditional mortgage, lenders often require borrowers to make a down payment of at least 20% of the home’s value. If they don’t, they typically have to pay private mortgage insurance which can significantly add to the cost of the loan.

But, with a VA home loan, you aren’t required to pay mortgage insurance if you don’t make a down payment.

Now, there are other fees for VA home loans - like the funding fee- which we'll discuss later. But, if you don't have savings to put toward a down payment, not having to pay mortgage insurance will likely save you quite a bit of money.

On the other hand, not putting anything down means you’ll be taking out a larger loan, so over time you will likely pay more in interest.

For example let’s say you buy a $180,000 house with a 30-year fixed rate home loan at 3.5% interest. If you don’t make a down payment, you could pay a total of about $291,000 for your house over the life of the loan.

On the other hand, if you were to make a ten percent down payment of $18,000, you’d end up paying a lot less. You’d have lower monthly payments and you’d pay about $262,000 over the life of the loan… Adding your original $18,000 down payment, you might pay a total of about $280,000 for the same home.

That’s a difference of about $11,000. So, as you can see, if you can make even a small down payment, you could save money in the long run.

In addition to the typical closing costs and fees, there are two fees specific to getting a VA home loan that are worth noting: the appraisal fee and the funding fee.

When you apply for a VA loan, your lender will arrange an appraisal with a VA-approved appraiser. This required appraisal protects both you and the bank by making sure the home meets the minimum property requirements set by the VA—basically that the property is safe, structurally sound and that your purchase price is a fair value. In most parts of the country, an appraisal will cost you around $400 to $500. You can find out what the maximum allowable appraisal fee will be for your region at va.gov.

There is also a “funding fee.” This is a one-time fee on the loan that is intended to reduce the loan’s cost to taxpayers. It’s charged as a percentage – from 0 to 3.3% of the total amount of your loan. What you’ll be charged depends on a variety of factors, including some of the details of your military service and how much of a down payment you make on your home – the lower your down payment, the higher your funding fee.

This funding fee can be bundled with the rest of your loan, so you won’t have to pay it out of pocket at the closing, but bundling it with the rest of your loan means you’ll accrue interest on this fee.

When you take into consideration additional interest over the life of the loan- this fee can be significant,

so again, if you can afford it, making just a small down payment, and even paying the funding fee upfront, can save you money over the long run.

The US Department of Veterans Affairs has a funding fee table that can help you estimate what percentage you might pay at va.gov.

There are some circumstances which might make it difficult for you to qualify for a VA home loan—as well as some limits on the amount you can borrow without making a down payment.

If you have a lot of debt in relation to the amount you earn, it could keep you from qualifying for a loan.

And if you have a low credit score, it won’t necessarily stop you from getting approved by the VA for a VA home loan, but it could keep you from getting approved by a specific lender. And, like other types of loans, the better your credit score, the lower the interest rate you will likely be offered.

There also are some limits on what you might be able to borrow. While the VA doesn’t put a cap on how much you can borrow, there is a limit on the amount they can be held liable for. This can affect how much money a lender will loan you, and if you might be required to make a larger down payment. You can find out more about these limits at va.gov.

It’s also worth noting that VA home loans can take longer to process than traditional mortgages.

Down the road, the VA can be a source of assistance and support if you encounter financial hardships and cannot make your monthly loan payments on your home. They can help negotiate with your lender on your behalf and help you find an alternative to foreclosure if you need it.

Finally, before you buy a home, think about whether homeownership is right for you right now. With the cost of buying and selling a home, including the closing costs, property taxes, home upkeep and maintenance, renting could be a cheaper alternative if you need to relocate in the near future.

A VA home loan can be a great benefit for those who qualify—especially if you want to buy a home but haven’t yet saved enough for a full down-payment.