A VA loan is guaranteed by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. The loan itself isn’t actually made by the government, but the fact that it’s backed by a government agency makes lenders feel more comfortable offering these loans, because they take on less risk than with a conventional mortgage. As a result, it’s possible to get a VA loan without a down payment, and — sometimes — with looser credit standards.
MINIMUM CREDIT
SCORE
660
KEY
ADVANTAGES
NO DOWNPAYMENT REQUIRED NO MONTHLY PMI
How does a VA loan work?
The VA loan process works like any other conventional mortgage loan. Before lenders can approve applicants, they will ask to verify the following questions:
- Current and past employment history
- Credit score
- Desired loan amount
- Gross monthly income
- Assets (bank accounts, retirement savings, etc.)
- Debts (credit card, delinquencies, etc.)
- Previous homeownership
Since lenders will review your credit report, which also includes your payment history and debts, they will be able to calculate your debt-to-income ratio (DTI). DTI ratios give lenders a more realistic idea of a potential borrower’s monthly income and their recurring debts. Typically, lenders like to see a borrower’s DTI ratio of 41 percent or lower. However, many lenders have different standards to become eligible for a VA loan, and they will be able to determine your eligibility in correlation with your financial status and history.
Since the VA loan is guaranteed by the federal government, it helps eligible applicants with the following:
- Requires no down payment (unless your lender deems otherwise, or the purchase price of the home exceeds the allowed VA limit).
- Lenders offer competitive interest rates.
- Allow borrowers to pay off all or part of your loan in advance without penalty.
- VA orders an appraisal on your behalf to determine whether the home’s value is reasonable and matches with current market conditions.
- If defects are found, the VA will try to assist you in hiring a contractor to resolve those issues.
However, the VA does not guarantee the condition of the home you are purchasing, it guarantees the loan. This is often misinterpreted, so do not get the impression the VA will handle any damages or defects that need to be repaired. This responsibility will need to be taken care of by the potential homeowner.
What are the benefits of getting a VA loan?
There are many benefits when veterans finance a VA loan. This mortgage loan has helped over 25 million veterans obtain the dream of homeownership. Not only does the VA provide financial mortgage aid to veterans, but it also includes the following benefits:
- For most applicants, no down payment is required. Compared to an FHA loan, lenders require a down payment of as little as 3.5%. However, borrowers are required to purchase mortgage insurance. With a VA loan, borrowers do not have to pay for this premium.
- As mentioned above, borrowers are not required to pay for monthly mortgage insurance with a VA loan. This premium is usually required by lenders if borrowers put less than 20 percent down with a conventional loan.
- Lenders can offer competitive interest rates compared to other loans. VA loans continue to have the lowest interest rates among other loan options.
- No prepayment penalties. Borrowers will not get penalized if they decide to pay part or fully pay off the loan early.
- VA loans are classified as assumable mortgages (some lenders are subject to approval). This means if you were to move, you could have someone else take over your mortgage payments. This can be a huge benefit if interest rates were to rise.
- The VA loan program avoids placing veterans in foreclosed homes. They will find alternate options for housing and use a foreclosed home as a last resort.
- There is a limitation on the buyer’s closing costs. With a VA loan, sellers can pay all of the buyer’s closing costs and up to 4 percent in concessions.
What are the requirements to obtain a VA loan? How do I qualify?
In order to obtain a VA loan, the law requires applicants to abide by the following:
- Applicants must be considered as an eligible veteran who can prove their service.
- The loan must be for an eligible purpose.
- Veterans and families must occupy the home as their primary residency.
- The credit risk of the applicant must be satisfactory.
- Verification of veteran and spouse’s income must be stable and sufficient to handle mortgage payments and pay for other home-related costs.
Lenders will calculate your DTI ratio by reviewing your gross monthly income and monthly debts. Most lenders want to see a DTI ratio of 41 percent or lower, so they can be assured your income is greater than the amount you already owe. This ratio could also vary from lender to lender, so remember to do your due diligence and ask what each lender expects from applicants.
Just like any other mortgage, the VA also requires applicants to prove they have a consistent and stable income. This verification is used to measure a borrower’s ability to handle mortgage payments and other necessities (i.e. food, transportation, etc.) The residual income amount will vary based on family size and the location of their home. You can ask your lender what amount of income is acceptable to obtain a VA loan.
An appraisal is also required during a VA transaction. A VA appraisal will be ordered to provide a more accurate estimate of the home’s value compared to other homes in the area. This process is intended to ensure the home is in good condition and veterans will be comfortable and safe. A licensed appraiser will come to the property to evaluate its overall condition and write a detailed report of their findings. From this unbiased perspective, veterans can safely agree with their opinions and make adjustments as needed.
Lastly, there are service requirements that need to be met to become eligible for a VA loan. The majority of members in the military, veterans, reservists, and National Guard members are eligible to apply for a VA loan. Even spouses of the military or other services who died while on active duty can also apply.
