When it comes to homebuying, if you are a veteran, you have a secret weapon at your disposal: the VA Home Loan Benefit. Get to know the advantages of VA loans! It’s a benefit you’ve earned – and this financing option can improve home affordability. In a tight home market, you make think that a VA loan may put you at a disadvantage. But I know how to write the offer to make a VA loan a positive and get you the home you want!
Below is a summary of the advantages of a VA loan.
Thanks to Maureen Elkins, Guaranteed Rate Affinity (maureen.elkins@grarate.com, 860-604-0299, GRARate.com/MaureenElkins ) who provided this information.
The VA loan advantage:
Feature
VA
FHA
Conventional
FICO score
550 minimum
560 minimum
620 minimum1
Minimum Down Payment Options
0%
3.5%
3% – 5%
Closing costs
Seller can assist 4%
Seller can assist 6%
Seller can assist 3%
Cash-out refi2
Cash-out up to 100% home value
Cash-out up to 80% home value
Cash-out up to 85% home value
Loan options
Up to $3M
Up to $472K
(Up to $1M in high-cost areas)
Up to $726K for 1-unit3
(Up to $1M in high-cost areas)
To make your VA loan even sweeter, Guaranteed Rate Affinity will waive all lender fees, saving you $1,440.4
Other benefits of VA include:
No Private Mortgage Insurance
Relaxed credit policies
Typically lower mortgage rates
Now do you see why a VA loan can improve home affordability?