The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has helped countless veterans finance their home ownership goals. While you have the choice of a conventional loan offered by other mortgage lenders, there are some significant benefits to VA loans. Here are some of the most important advantages to consider:
The most famous benefit of VA loans is the lack of down payments. Homebuyers taking out a conventional loan typically need to pay around 3% of the home's purchase price up front as part of their loan terms. Even a small percentage can mean tens of thousands of dollars out of pocket. A VA loan will help you save this money instead of potentially draining your hard-earned savings.
Private mortgage insurance is required by lenders to protect them against the chance of you defaulting on your loan. Not only do these insurance policies have hefty upfront charges, the ongoing annual cost can last the entire life of your loan. Luckily, with VA loans, there is no requirement for private mortgage insurance, saving you money and time.
Mortgage lenders conduct a careful analysis of your financial profile when you apply for a loan. For most lenders, credit score requirements can be especially strict. Even if you qualify for a loan, a lower credit score might mean higher interest rates or private mortgage insurance premiums. VA loans don't have a credit score requirement, so no matter what state your credit is in, you can still be approved for a loan.
The same goes for debt-to income ratios. While VA lenders still consider DTI ratios in the approval process, the requirements are much more flexible and forgiving. Even with a high debt-to-income ratio, you can be approved for a VA home loan with other financial factors like credit score working in your favor.
These are only a few of the major benefits offered by VA home loans. Remember these factors if you're deciding between a VA or conventional loan so you can make the best decision for your situation.
Eddie Brissett is a native of Newburyport, Massachusetts where he attended Newburyport High School. He graduated from Fitchburg State College (FSC) with both a B.S. in Business Administration and an MBA in the late 1990s. He also played basketball at FSC.
In 2004, his real estate dream began when he purchased his first property- a condo. Working primarily in financial services for nearly 15 years, he transitioned into real estate full-time in 2013. He was the Condo Board Chairman (2005-2018) of the Rich Street Condo Association. He credits his parents and mainly his mom as among the biggest influences in his life. As a licensed real estate agent in several states, he serves buyers, sellers, renters, and landlords throughout the commonwealth of Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Florida.
"From an early age, I learned the value of hard work and standing by your word from my parents. These traits along with teamwork were reinforced from some tough sports coaches that I played for."
He enjoys spending his free time with family, friends, hiking, watching Boston sports teams, and is an accomplished billiards player.