What exactly is a VA Loan?

VA Loans (Veteran Affairs) are mortgages that are guaranteed by the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs.  VA loans allow you, the veteran, to purchase a home with no down payment and with no mortgage insurance.

What Are The Benefits?

Besides the fact that there is no mortgage insurance or down payment required, when you go to purchase a home there are some fees that the escrow company, realtor, lender, and seller are not allow to charge the VA borrower.  The lender and seller can't charge the borrower an attorney fee.  The VA prohibits the real estate agent from charging the buyer a commission.

VA also prohibits the buyer from paying:

• Doc Prep Fee charged by Escrow
• Underwriting and Processing Fee
• Courier / Postage Fees
• Notary Fees

How Does it Work?

It is possible that you qualify for a VA loan if you meet the following parameters:

• 181 days of active peacetime service.
• 90 days of consecutive wartime service.
• 6 years National Guard or Reserves service.
• 2 years if enlisted in Post-Vietnam era.
• You are the surviving spouse of someone who died while in service.
• You are the spouse of a POW/MIA veteran of at least 90 days.
• You can provide a DD214
• You can proved a Certificate of Eligibility

If you currently have an VA loan you may have the ability to do a "streamline refinance" without the need for appraisal, credit report, or income documentation.  This gives you the ability to lower your payment quickly, easily, and best of all painlessly.