Your VA loan statement of service letter is vital to starting the VA loan process if you are an active service member, a reservist or a member of the National Guard. It is literally one of the first documents you need to put together, and it’s not always easy. It can take some work on your part and the availability of your commanding officer to get this thing done. Fortunately, there are some shortcuts.
Category: Mortgage and Refinance
Conventional vs VA Loan | Pros and Cons
In the battle of the conventional vs VA loan, the VA loan guarantee is a contender. It’s not always the best choice because it has requirements that might hem you in, but in terms of saving you money up front and over the long term, it’s hard to beat it. If you think the VA will be giving you the loan and private lenders won’t be involved, that’s not the case. The VA loan program isn’t an “either/or” decision. It’s more of a “both/and” process.
FHA vs VA Loan | Pros and Cons Plus Savings Opportunity
If you’re looking at an FHA vs VA loan and it is something you’re investigating, one of these two things must be true. Either you are, or were, in the military and may be eligible for the VA loan. Otherwise, the VA loan isn’t an option for you. So let’s proceed assuming you are eligible for a VA loan based on your military service, and you are wondering if you should also be looking at the FHA loan.
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“FHA vs VA Loan | Pros and Cons Plus Savings Opportunity”
VA Loan PMI | Do VA Loans Require Mortgage Insurance?
The VA loan PMI benefit is one of the money-saving advantages of working with the VA loan system on your mortgage. PMI is private mortgage insurance, and new home buyers often need to pay this on a monthly basis. With the VA, you don’t. It might not look like much at first compared to the “no down payment” part of the VA’s benefit, but it can add up to thousands of dollars in savings over the life of your loan.
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VA Loan Down Payment Requirements | Do You Need to Pay One?
The simple answer to “are there VA loan down payment requirements?” is no. But as is often the case in life, the simple answer isn’t always the right one…or the best one. Sometimes you might want to pay the down payment, and sometimes you must make a down payment, when going through the VA loan guarantee program. There are also a couple of reasons where you could make a down payment on your VA mortgage that don’t make any sense. Let’s sort these options out.
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Physician Mortgage Loans | How to Save on Mortgage Loans for Doctors
Getting physician mortgage loans may seem counterintuitive, unless you are a new doctor, surviving residency, saddled with student loans and strapped for time. In that case, you may need help every step of the way. If you are further along in your career, you may be looking to move to a bigger house or a new neighborhood or even refinance your current mortgage. There’s help out there for you, too.
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VA Cash Out Refinance Guidelines | Everything You Need to Know
The VA cash-out refinance program has some good news for you. You can get cash by refinancing your home through the VA loan system. The better news is that you can do that even if your current mortgage is not a VA loan – as long as you meet the VA eligibility standards of being a veteran, an armed forces service member, or the surviving spouse of an active duty or former service member.
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VA Loan Pre Approval Process | A Strategy That Works
Navigating the VA loan pre approval process can be a significant step towards homeownership for veterans and active military members. This process not only demonstrates your readiness to purchase a home, but a VA loan pre approval shows potential sellers the legitimacy of your offer in a competitive market.
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Are VA Loans Assumable? | A Hidden Benefit to Your VA Loan
In a world where most mortgages are not assumable, you might wonder are VA loans assumable? The short answer is yes, they are. That puts you, as the seller with a VA loan, in a unique position. Giving the buyer the ability to assume your mortgage and buy your house in a climate of rising interest rates is a significant benefit. However, assuming a mortgage can get a little complicated, especially because you want to be able to protect your VA loan benefit.
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“Are VA Loans Assumable? | A Hidden Benefit to Your VA Loan”
VA Loan Inspection Requirements | What You Need to Know
If you are looking to learn about VA loan inspection requirements, you won’t find any. Truth be told, the VA loan system does not require home inspections before deciding whether you are eligible or not. They do, however, require appraisals, but that is a different kettle of fish. We will explain that later. What’s important to recognize is that the home inspection protects you, veterans or active-duty military members, as you hunt for a home. So don’t skip this step.
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