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VA loans near Houston TX have been helping veterans and military servicemen realize the dream of homeownership for over 50 years.
If you or your family are hoping to buy a new house and you served in the military, this loan may be able to drastically reduce the pressure of a traditional mortgage.
VA Loans in Houston TX
This federal loan program is one of the most advantageous programs that exists for potential homebuyers. Recipients of the VA Home Loan program are generally awarded the following benefits over traditional mortgage signers:
- 0% Down at Signing
- No PMI
- Competitive Interest Rates
- Easier to Qualify
Related Services:
30 Year VA Loan Rates
VA Loan Requirements
Eligibility for VA Military Home Loans in Houston, TX
Those seeking participate in the VA Home Loan program must fulfill some basic requirements in terms of both service and income.
While there is no defined threshold income that will qualify or disqualify you from applying for the loan program, the VA does expect loan recipients to have reliable income to cover monthly expenses. This simply means that the VA requires that borrowers have adequate income after paying major monthly expenses to cover things like food, transportation, and/or any emergency that may arise. The VA’s residual income requirements help to ensure that borrowers can stay on top of monthly mortgage payments.
Ultimately, the VA will decide who is eligible to be a part of the loan program, but veterans, military personnel, and their families can all check the basic service requirements for eligibility.
If you meet any of the following criteria, then you should speak with a VA Loan Specialist to find out if you qualify.
- Served 90 straight days of active service during wartime
- Served 181 days of active service during peacetime
- Served for more than 6 years in the National Guard or Reserves
- You are the spouse of a service member who died in the line of duty
Certificate of Eligibility (COE)
Once you’ve determined that you’re eligible for a VA home loan, you’ll need to apply for a Certificate of Eligibility (COE). The COE will verify to your lender that you’re approved to receive a VA-guaranteed loan. You can order your COE online through the eBenefits portal on the VA website or you can request the certificate directly through your lender in many cases.
Benefits
The VA Home Loan program offers a few different benefits for those who qualify.
Purchase loans are available for home-buyers whether you’re looking for your first home or you’re a seasoned homebuyer. This loan comes with zero-percent down at signing and no requirement of private mortgage insurance. The VA Purchase Home Loan is an excellent option for potential homeowners who need competitive interest rates.
Cash-out refinance loans allow you as a homeowner to take cash out of your home equity in order to pay for the things that you need right now. This loan can help pay for school, repay debt, or be used to make home improvements.
The third type of loan benefit that you may qualify for is called the Interest Rate Reduction Refinance Loan (IRRRL) or the Streamline Refinance Loan. This loan enables you to refinance an existing VA home loan in order to receive a lower interest rate or to change your VA adjustable rate mortgage into a fixed rate.
Additionally, some specialized programs include adapted housing grants for veterans with service-related disabilities and the Native American Direct Loan (NADL) Program. The NADL Program helps qualified Native American veterans finance a home (for purchase, improvement, or construction) on Federal Trust Land.
Finding a VA Mortgage Lender and Getting Started
Now, you know that you’re eligible for a VA loan, you have your Certificate of Eligibility, and you have your eye on a house within your budget. It’s time to find a private lender to service your loan. It’s strongly recommended that you do adequate research on all of your options as offers and rates will vary from lender to lender.
While the VA doesn’t require a minimum income or a specific credit score, lenders will look at these numbers as a part of your complete loan profile and most will require a credit score of at least 640. Based on your finances, different lenders may offer you better or worse interest rates and you want to find the best program for you. You should also ask about any other fees you may incur. For example, some lenders penalize for early payments as they affect accrued interest in the future.
Some additional factors to consider include looking for a VA-approved lender and determining which loan type best fits your needs (adjustable rate or fixed mortgage, 15 years or 25 years, etc.) and then to compare the same type with each VA-approved lender that you contact.
Returning home from overseas and rejoining civilian life can be daunting, and it’s no secret that many veterans struggle with mental health issues and homelessness. In an effort to provide additional support for veterans hoping to become homeowners, the U.S. government implemented the VA Home Loans program in 1944. For more than 70 years, this program has helped millions of veterans and military families create a new home by providing affordable home financing options. The VA Home Loan is not a direct loan from the government, but from a private lender with a guaranty from the federal government.
Buying a new home can be unnerving especially for first-time buyers, and the VA Home Loans program is meant to ease the process for the honorable men and women who have served our country. If you served in the military or reserves and you’re hoping to buy a house, the VA may be able to help.
For more information about the entire home buying process, click below to get started.
For questions about a VA Loan in the Houston area, please call a VA Loan specialist at 713-966-6255
Additional Helpful Information
Local communites we service in the Houston, TX area:
Alief, Alvin, Bacliff, Barker, Baytown, Beach City, Bellaire, Channelview, Cove, Crosby, Cypress, Damon, Dayton, Deer Park, Dickinson, Fresno, Friendswood, Galena Park, Galveston, Hardin, Highlands, Hitchcock, Houston, Huffman, Humble, Kemah, Kingwood, La Marque, La Porte, League City, Liberty, Manvel, Missouri City, Mont Belvieu, New Caney, North Houston, Pasadena, Pearland, Port Bolivar, Porter, Richmond, Rosharon, Santa Fe, Seabrook, South Houston, Spring, Stafford, Sugar Land, Texas City, Thompsons, Tomball, Webster, West University Place
Brazoria County, Chambers County, Fort Bend County, Galveston County, Harris County, Liberty County, Montgomery County
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