Advantages of a VA Home Loan
Thanking you’re for your sacrifice and service
- Zero Down VA Loans up to County Loan Limits (County Limit, it varies by county and does exceed conforming loan limits)
- Jumbo VA Loans Available
- No Monthly Mortgage Insurance Premiums
- Competitive Interest Rates
- Manufactured Homes Eligible
- Manual UW Eligible
- No Prepayment Penalties
- VA Guarantee for Loan Security
- Up to 100% Seller-paid Costs on Purchase Loans
- Easier Qualifying Standards
- Interest Rate Reduction Refinance Loans (IRRRL which require no appraisal or income documentation)
VA Loan Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible for a VA Loan, veterans, active duty service members, National Guard members and reservists must meet the basic service requirements set forth by the Department of Veterans Affairs. Spouses of military members who died while on active duty or as a result of a service-connected disability may also be eligible.
It’s ultimately up to the VA to determine eligibility for the home loan program, but prospective borrowers can get a good idea by looking at the VA’s basic eligibility guidelines.
You may be eligible for a VA Home Loan if you meet one or more of the following conditions:
- You have served 90 consecutive days of active service during wartime, OR
- You have served 181 days of active service during peacetime, OR
- You have more than 6 years of service in the National Guard or Reserves, OR
- You are the spouse of a service member who has died in the line of duty or as a result of a service-related disability.
While you don’t need your VA Certificate of Eligibility in hand to start the loan process with Equitywise, this certificate is a required document in your loan application. Your COE verifies that your length and character of service make you eligible to use the VA home loan benefit.
You can ask your Equitywise Team to obtain your COE on your behalf. The process takes minutes to complete with proof of your military service and ensures your home financing moves forward without delays.
If you prefer to do the work yourself, VA Loan applicants can contact the Veterans Administration directly and fill out a Certificate of Eligibility (VA Form 26-1880).
VA Loan Income Requirements
Homebuyers interested in the VA Loan aren’t required to reach any kind of income threshold to use their home loan benefits; however, borrowers are expected to have stable, reliable income that will cover monthly expenses – including their new mortgage payment.
Additionally, the VA requires that borrowers maintain a certain amount of income left over each month after all major expenses are paid. The excess is meant to cover typical family needs, such as food, transportation and so forth and is referred to as residual income. Residual income is a large reason why the VA Loan maintains one of the lowest foreclosure rates of all major lending options.
By enforcing residual income requirements, the VA increases the chances of its borrowers earning sufficient income to meet all financial obligations, and also ensures borrowers have a cushion in the event of an emergency.
Additional Eligibility Requirements
Although the VA determines the guidelines for those who are eligible for the VA Loan benefit, private lenders who finance the home purchases have an additional set of criteria a potential borrower must satisfy, including debt, income and credit requirements
When you apply for a VA Loan, Equitywise will pull your credit score from the three leading credit agencies, as well as examine your debt-to-income ratio. The score used is the middle score, throwing out the highest and lowest from the other two credit bureaus.
Finally, a veteran applying for a VA Loan must not have been discharged under dishonorable conditions. Further, the home must be in good repair, including cosmetic issues such as water damage, peeling paint, dropping gutters, and so on.
