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What Is a VA Loan?
A VA loan is a mortgage loan that’s backed by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for those who have served or are presently serving in the U.S. military. While the VA does not lend money for VA loans, it backs loans made by private lenders (banks, savings and loans, or mortgage companies) to veterans, active military personnel, and military spouses who qualify.
There are three types of VA loans: purchase loans, interest rate reduction refinance loans (or IRRRL, also referred to as a VA streamline refinance loan), and cash-out refinance loans. There are many benefits to a VA loan, but one of biggest benefits is that no down payment is needed to purchase a home. This can make home ownership a reality for active military or veterans who might otherwise not be able to afford it.
Who Is Eligible for VA Loans?
VA loans are designed for military personnel, veterans, and military families. The list of those who are eligible for this home-buying military benefit include:
- Veterans
- Active-duty personnel
- Reserve members
- National Guard members
- Some surviving spouses
You must also have suitable credit, sufficient income, and a valid Certificate of Eligibility (COE). And you must use the home for your own personal occupancy. Still unsure if you’re eligible? Check the Department of Veterans Affairs website for a detailed list of eligibility requirements for military service members, veterans, and military spouses.
Need help with your VA loan? Find a VA lender on Zillow
What Are the Benefits?
The VA loan program offers some of the most attractive and flexible loan benefits available, and they are exclusively for military personnel, veterans and their families. Perhaps the two biggest benefits that make these loan more affordable than a typical loan are that the borrower typically does not need to make a down payment, and there is no private mortgage insurance (PMI) requirement.
Here’s a look at the complete list of benefits, as taken directly from the Veterans Affairs site:
- No down payment required
- Negotiable and competitive interest rate.
- Ability to finance the VA funding fee (plus reduced funding fees with a down payment of at least 5 percent and exemption for veterans receiving VA compensation).
- VA rules limit the amount you can be charged for closing costs.
- Closing costs are comparable with other financing types (and may be lower).
- Closing costs may be paid by the seller.
- No private mortgage insurance premiums are required.
- An assumable mortgage.
- Right to prepay your mortgage without penalty.
- For homes inspected by VA during construction, a warranty from builder and assistance from VA to obtain cooperation of builder.
- VA assistance to veteran borrowers in default due to temporary financial difficulty.
How Can Veterans & Military Personnel Get VA Loans?
Veterans, active military personnel, and military families can follow these steps to get a VA loan:
- Make sure you are eligible for a VA loan. Check the VA website for a detailed list of eligibility requirements for military service members, veterans, and military spouses.
- Find a lender that participates in the VA home loan program. You can find a VA lender in your area here.
- Get a Certificate of Eligibility from the VA to prove you are eligible for a VA loan. Learn how to get a Certificate of Eligibility here. Or, your lender can request one on your behalf.
- Apply for your VA loan. Your VA lender will work with you to complete the steps needed to finance your home.
How to Find a VA Lender
There are many ways for veterans and military personnel to find a VA lender, such as getting recommendations from friends, or searching on the VA website. And just like conventional loans, it can pay to shop around and talk to several different lenders.
Zillow helps make it easy to find a VA lender in your area. Use this link to answer a few questions about the home you want to buy, and you’ll find a VA lender in minutes. You can also shop for live, custom VA loan mortgage quotes anonymously on Zillow, and then contact the lenders whose quotes you are interested in. Be sure to check the “Military/Veteran?” box so that VA loans will come up in your search results.
Source: zillow.com