When getting ready to buy a new home, there is a feeling of excitement. After the excitement tempers down a bit, the next question is, “how are we going to pay for it?” Most of us decide to use our VA home loans, to secure our new dwelling, but there are some tips to keep in mind when you go to purchase that new house!

 

VA home loans are becoming more popular, as many service members are looking to purchase new homes. This is especially true as many look toward retirement and financial goals. We have put together the top three things that you need to keep in mind when it comes to using a VA home loan.

 

  1. Find a Realtor That Understands How A VA Home Loan Works – you would think that most realtors understand this, but they don’t. When looking for a realtor, ask your friends who they used, and about their experiences with the realtor. VA home loans are different from other loans, and there are many things that you can be exempt from paying, such as down payments, and other fees. These exemptions can be based on disability ratings from the VA, so be sure that you know what you are entitled to. If your realtor is experienced in VA home loans, they can save you a lot of headaches when it comes to getting your home loan approved and funded in time for you to move into your new home.
  2. Know the Occupancy Requirements – As with most loans, there are rules and regulations that go with the VA home loan. One of the little-known requirements is the occupancy rules. When using a VA loan, you will be asked if this will be your primary residence for at least one year. While this timeline can change, one year is the current standard. This is something that you will want to keep in mind as you prepare to purchase your new home. If you are still active duty, this can affect your loan, if you are coming up on orders soon.
  3. Know your credit – Your credit plays a huge role in any loan. With the VA loan, you need to be sure that you have clean credit. The VA will dive into your finances, looking to be sure that you have a reliable income in order to cover the loan. They will also look for any nuances that might need to be explained, such as any income that is not claimed on our taxes, bank account information, and any little dings on your credit that might need to have a letter of explanation.

If you are not sure about how your credit looks, you can do a quick view online to be sure that you are in good shape to buy a home. While you are in the process of going through the mortgage process, do not take out any new lines of credit. This could hurt your chances of final approval on your VA home loan.

 

As with any loan, these are the top tips that we can give you! If you have any questions as to how the VA home loan process works, or need any more information, you can contact us now!