VA Loans

Department Of Veterans Affairs website

Members of the military have a different housing opportunity. Military can actually purchase homes with little or no down payment. Taking out a VA mortgage loan on a new home purchase is a fantastic way to finance a property with a low interest rate, with little to no required down payment.

Purchasing a home with a VA loan is pretty straightforward. Listed below is an overview of the basic process:

1. Choose your lender, present your Certificate of Eligibility, and get pre-qualified.
2. Find the property you would like to buy and arrange the purchase with the seller. You’ll then sign a purchase contract conditional upon approval of a VA guaranteed loan.
3. The property gets appraised. If the determined value is acceptable and the VA Underwriter determines that your loan application meets the VA loan requirements, your mortgage can be approved.
4. You (and co-borrower, if applicable) will then attend the loan closing and sign the related papers. The closing escrow agent or attorney will explain loan terms and requirements and monthly payment details.

After these steps are completed, you will own your own home with a low-interest VA purchase mortgage, with no private monthly mortgage insurance required!

Please note that when the VA receives report of the loan, the Certificate of Eligibility is adjusted to reflect use of entitlement and is then returned to the veteran.

No further actions are required to get your COE back, which just makes the overall process easier for veterans.

A common question we get is, “How long does the VA loan approval process actually take?” The overall period of time it takes for a VA mortgage approval varies depending on the amount of volume the lender has at that moment. It also depends on how quickly the VA borrower is able to respond to documentation requests.

As of late, getting full approval and closing your VA purchase mortgage has been taking between 30 to 45 days. This time-frame is more or less the same as that for conventional loans. A 30 day escrow should be no problem if the property is in good condition.

There are some things you can do to ensure your loan process is as quick as possible, such as sending requested documents as soon as possible, working with a knowledgeable VA loan specialist, and making your hours of availability as flexible as you can.

If you or someone you know is looking to explore their options with VA financing feel free to contact us, we are here to help you and we love serving those who serve.