in Buying a house but not sure what you’re going to use to finance the purchase given today’s climate in the mortgage market?
If you’re a veteran or active duty military, then you must consider a VA Loan, a benefit thanks to your service to the United States. A VA Loan is a great option for buying a home, whether it’s your first or your third time buying a house; the VA Loan gives you flexibility as well as offers an affordable solution to financing your next purchase.
Perhaps the biggest highlight of the VA Loan is the no down payment requirement. Sure, there were plenty of no down payment options 24 months ago, but like the housing bubble, those programs burst and now the VA Loan is the last zero-down mortgage product available. In addition to zero down, the VA Loan also has no private mortgage insurance, which is standard on conventional loans unless you put 20 percent down. Another aspect of the VA Loan is the relaxed credit requirements that still allow you to get a low interest rate. While most conventional products require a 720 or above to get the lowest rates, VA lenders generally only require a 620 minimum credit score, and the rates for those scores are still the lowest available.
The VA Loan also allows you to refinance into a lower interest rate (down the line) without appraisal or income documentation; said Jake Vehige, VA Loan Specialist with VAMortgageCenter.Com.
There is a VA funding fee associated with a VA Purchase Loan, however that fee is 2.15% of the loan amount for first-time VA users and 3.3% for subsequent VA Loan use. That fee can be rolled into the cost of the loan, or the seller is allowed to pay for it as well. Borrowers who can document at least a 10% service-connected disability are exempt from the funding fee.
Provided you’ve got good credit, doesn’t have to be great, you were honorably discharged and you’ve had steady income for the past two years, a VA Loan is definitely worth your consideration when purchasing your next home.
