Share List  Throughout the history of the VA loan program, the goal has always been to serve the veterans and members of our military as best as possible. Periodically, new laws are passed that change certain aspects of VA loans so that they are more accessible and available to our nation’s heroes. 2020 saw three major changes to the VA loan program, and now we’re excited to announce that at the beginning of 2021, another major change became law. This new law, the Veterans Health Care and Benefits Improvement Act of 2020, includes a section that expands VA loan eligibility to a greater numbe ..read more

Share List To get the best deal on your VA mortgage, there’s some planning and work to do on your part. To help you with this, we’ve outlined some steps you can take in order to get better prepared for a VA loan. Taking these steps will be worthwhile because the more prepared you are, the better your chances are of securing a better rate. 1. Clean Up Your Credit & Get Those Reports VA mortgages do have lenient credit standards, but to secure the best rates, it’s helpful to have a credit score on the higher end of the spectrum. In order to make that happen, one of the most important things ..read more

Share List The VA home loan program has been around since WWII. Yet somehow, many of our veterans and servicemembers still don’t take advantage of this benefit when they’re ready to purchase a home. Maybe you don’t really understand how a VA loan works. Or maybe you’ve heard some things about it that make you uneasy. There are certainly a lot of myths out there about the VA house loan, and our goal is to dispel that misinformation. Myth #1: You Must Have PERFECT Finances to Qualify for a VA Home Loan There are a couple variations on this myth: “You need a perfect credit score to get a VA loan ..read more

Share List Being a servicemember requires you to put parts of your life on hold and to serve the American people. Often, that means juggling military responsibilities on top of your expenses and home life or struggling to get back into the workforce after service. From disability compensation to pension to education programs, there are many benefits that are available to veterans to help with struggles that are unique to the military. The list is so long, there’s even a “Veterans Benefits for Dummies” book. Yet, too many veterans are coming home without ever knowing what their options are. An ..read more

Share List VA refinance loans offer benefits that just can’t be matched by conventional refinances. With a VA refinance, you can lower your interest rate, switch from a non-VA loan to a VA loan, cash out on 100% of the equity in your home (minus closing costs you want to roll in), or take advantage of other benefits. But timing your refinance right is an important part of making sure that it actually ends up benefiting you. Keep reading for some tips on how to know whether you should refinance or not. Signs You May Be Ready for a VA Loan Refinance Current Rates Are Lower Than Your Mortgage Ra ..read more

Share List  What is mortgage forbearance? Mortgage forbearance is a type of mortgage relief that gives you a temporary break from your mortgage payments after an economic hardship. Usually, this relief is done by either pausing your payments or reducing them for a short period of time. Forbearance & the CARES Act While mortgage forbearance may be an available option at any time, depending on your loan’s servicer, the current focus on mortgage forbearance has come about because of the recently passed Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. This act requires lenders to ..read more

Share List When it comes to buying a home with a VA loan, timing is everything. But how do you know when the time is right? Is there a fairy of homebuying that will tap her wand three times when everything’s set? Though we would all love some home buying wand-waving, it’s not quite that simple. However, there are some pretty straightforward signs that indicate you might be ready to start getting that home loan. Your Finances Can Support a Home Loan Perhaps the most important thing to consider is whether or not you have the resources to afford a VA home loan. The following are some costs you’l ..read more

Share List The US Armed Forces has a fascinating history filled with interesting tidbits. But a lot of these aren’t well-known. We recently discovered several of these facts that we thought were too cool not to share with you. So, without further ado, here are seven interesting details you might not know about the US military: 1. A Supercomputer Built from Playstation 3s That’s right! Those video game consoles are quite useful, and the Department of Defense knows it. Back in 2010, they officially unveiled the Condor Cluster, which is made from 1,760 Sony Playstation 3 consoles. But why would ..read more

Share List As joyful as the holidays are for most people, it can be a really difficult time for veterans and servicemembers who are away from their families. Even for servicemembers who get to spend time with their loved ones, the Christmas season can bring added stress caused by tight finances and the desire to provide a day everyone will remember. It’s easy to get caught up in our own celebrations with friends and family. But our servicemembers, both current and former, have sacrificed so much. In this season of giving, the Low VA Rates family wants to encourage you to remember them, their ..read more

Share List Vets Can Now Get a Bigger VA Home Loan Because of the sacrifices they’ve made serving our country, veterans have the option of using a VA loan on home purchases. This loan type is designed to be a benefit, allowing more servicemembers access to home loans at great rates—and with no down payment. In 2020, things are even better for veterans looking to get a VA loan. A recent law change means veteran loans no longer have to be within the VA loan limits that were previously required to buy a home without a down payment. Why the Change to VA Loan Limits? In the past, some veterans face ..read more