First-time home purchasers often are typically younger couples who are just starting their families. Most do not have a massive quantity of money to place down on a house purchase. With a Veterans-guaranteed home loan, qualified borrowers could get into an excellent starter house with no cash down. Zero-down VA loans could save you thousands up front.
Less Stringent Qualifications
Many first-time homebuyers often lack a strong credit history which can mean not qualifying completely or for an affordable interest rate. Since VA loans are government backed it is easier to qualify at competitive rates.
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No Down Payment Option
VA loans are perfect for first-time homebuyers who do not have enough money for a down payment. Most mortgage programs require about 3% to 20% cash down. Borrowers can put as little as zero money down with VA-guaranteed mortgage.
However, in cases where the borrower wants to buy a home where the asking price is higher than the appraised value, the difference must be paid in cash and cannot be included in the loan amount.
Veterans Never Pay PMI (Private Mortgage Insurance) – Lower Monthly Payments
An additional huge cash saver for veterans includes the absence of private mortgage insurance premiums every month. VA home loans do not carry a VA-required mortgage insurance premium, which can save you a lot of money over the lifetime of the mortgage.
Many conventional mortgage programs will require borrowers to pay mortgage insurance if there’s less than twenty percent equity within the house. PMI, or private mortgage insurance, isn’t allowed or needed in the Veteran home loan program due to the federal backing eliminating the requirement for PMI. For first-timers, savings of hundreds every month may be vital for setting up college funds and additional future monetary preparation.
For first-timers, setting up credit may take time. Traditional and additional mortgage programs oftentimes possess stringent eligibility guidelines as it all comes down to credit history. The eligibility guidelines for Veteran loans could be less strict than those of traditional mortgages. First-timers who have little credit history still may be eligible based upon VA guidelines. The Veterans guidelines provide lender flexibility to decide if a borrower is a good credit risk. Residual income, debt-to-income ratio, and credit score are weighed with one another to decide if a military member is eligible for a Veteran-guaranteed mortgage. Typically, credit history alone won’t keep the borrower from obtaining a Veterans loan.
Veterans Loans have Lower Funding Charges for First Time Buyers
For many military mortgage borrowers, the Veteran funding fee includes a requirement. The charge was set up to offset the government expenditures for the VA’s home loan program. Those who receive or are eligible to receive VA compensation for service-connected medical issues are exempt from paying the fee if the VA compensation has been decided upon and has been entered into the veteran’s VA records.
Those who apply for a VA loan but have not yet received a decision may be charged the funding fee and must apply for a refund (which is NOT automatic) once the VA updates the records.
Legislation known as the Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act changed the structure of VA loan funding fees. Gone are the different funding fee rates for active duty, Guard, and Reserve members, with a higher fee required for second-time or subsequent use of the VA loan benefit. (See the updated fee structure below.)
- First-time use with no money down – 2.3%
- 5 percent down – 1.65%
- 10 percent down – 1.4%
Second-time use VA loan funding fees are as follows:
- First-time use with no money down – 3.6%
- 5 percent down – 1.65%
- 10 percent down – 1.4%
Who Is Exempt From The VA Loan Funding Fee
Veterans with service-connected disabilities and surviving spouses are exempt from the VA loan funding fee. Effective January 1, 2020, the VA loan rules in this area includes certain Purple Heart recipients. Who is eligible to have the VA loan funding fee waiver?
- Veterans receiving VA compensation for service-connected disabilities.
- Veterans entitled to receive VA compensation for service-connected disabilities, but receiving retirement pay or active service pay instead.
- Surviving spouses of veterans who died in active service or from a service-connected disability.
- Service members on active duty who provide (on or before the date of loan closing) evidence of having been awarded the Purple Heart and remain on active duty.
Purchasing a first house could be a milestone decision in your life. Plus, homebuyers can utilize all of the assistance they can get as it’ll come to saving cash within the process. For eligible military members, utilizing home loan benefits for the first time may be of assistance in making the experience simpler.
Joe Wallace is a 13-year veteran of the United States Air Force and a former reporter for Air Force Television News