What is a VA Loan?

At Houzzle Financial, we pride ourselves in providing the most comprehensive information on the VA Home Loan program in the industry. We invite you to use this page as your guide to learn why a VA Loan may be the perfect choice for your home purchase or refinance.

In 1944, the U.S. government created a military loan guaranty program to help returning service members purchase homes. The result, the VA Loan, is a mortgage loan issued by approved lenders such as Houzzle Financial and guaranteed by the federal government. Since its inception, the VA Loan program has helped place more than 20 million veterans and their families into an affordable home financing situation through its distinct advantages over traditional mortgages.

Today, the VA Home Loan program is more important than ever to service members. In recent years, lenders nationwide have tightened their lending requirements in the wake of the housing market collapse, making the VA Loan a lifeline for military borrowers, many of whom find difficulty when faced with tough credit standards and down payment requirements.

Like all home loans, VA Mortgages have considerable details and information to review. We at Houzzle Financial encourage you to use our website’s resources to educate yourself on the specifics of this exclusive home loan benefit. If you have further questions, we invite you to call a VA Loan specialist at (770)897-LOAN (5626) Additionally.

Military homebuyers have access to one of the most unique and powerful loan programs ever created. See how the VA Loan compares to a traditional home mortgage:

0% Down(for qualified borrowers)VA Loans are among the last 0% down home loans available on the market today.

No PMI Since VA Loans are government backed, banks do not require you to buy Private Mortgage Insurance.

Competitive Interest Rates. The VA guaranty gives lenders a greater degree of safety and flexibility, which typically means a more competitive rate than non-VA loans.

Easier to Qualify Because the loan is backed by the government, banks assume less risk and have less stringent qualification standards for VA Loans, making them easier to obtain.

Up to 20% Down Conventional loans generally require down payments that can reach up to 20% to secure a home loan, pushing them out of reach for many homebuyers.

PMI Required Private Mortgage Insurance is a requirement for borrowers who finance more than 80% of their home’s value, tacking on additional monthly expenses.

Increased Risk for Lenders Without government backing, banks are taking on more risk which, in turn, can result in a less-competitive interest rate on your home loan.

Standard Qualification Procedures Conventional options hold stricter qualification procedures that can put homeownership out of reach for some homebuyers.

Although the VA Loan is a federal program, the government generally does not make direct loans to veterans. Instead, private lenders including Houzzle Financial, finance the loan while the Department of Veterans Affairs offers a guaranty.

This guaranty, which protects the lender against total loss should the buyer default, provides incentive for private lenders to offer loans with better terms.

In most parts of the country, veterans who qualify for the VA Loan can purchase a home worth up to $424,100 without putting any money down; however, with the 2017 VA Loan Limits, borrowers in high-cost counties may be able to purchase homes far exceeding that amount without a down payment. To find out the VA Loan Limit in your area, give us a call at (770) 897-LOAN (5626) or simply click the Apply Now button and one of our VA Specialist will call you shortly.

The VA Funding Fee goes directly to the VA to ensure the program keeps running for future generations of military homebuyers by removing any additional burdens off tax payers and veterans. The fee varies depending on the borrower’s circumstances and does not apply for veterans with service-connected disabilities. For example, if this is your first time using the VA Home Loan Program, the funding fee is typically 2.15 percent of the purchase price of the home. For subsequent use of your VA Loan benefit, the fee is 3.3 percent.

VA borrowers can roll the funding fee into their overall loan amount. The VA also limits closing costs for veterans and allows sellers to pay most or all of those expenses. Many of our borrowers purchase a home with no money due at closing.