August 7th is a day to give back to and recognize those who were injured or killed while representing our country with great bravery. National Purple Heart Day shines a light of remembrance on those people who have received in the name of the President, a medal of honor know as a Purple Heart for their sacrifices.  As we near this day, remember to give thanks to all veterans who have courageously fought for our freedoms. One way that we continue to give back to our service members, is through giving them the opportunity to qualify for one of the most powerful mortgage programs out there ..read more

The U.S. economy was booming as World War II was coming to an end. One of the longest periods of growth, one that would see the development of a vibrant middle-class, was just beginning. In an effort to both thank and reward the men, women, and surviving spouses who sacrificed everything to defeat fascism, Congress passed the GI Bill and created the VA Home Loan Program. Now, returning vets would be able to attend college and realize the “American Dream” of homeownership. VA Loan: A Lifetime Benefit The VA Home Loan not only streamlined the mortgage application process, its generous credit ter ..read more

If you’re a veteran or military member,  then you’re in luck: You might just qualify for one of the most powerful mortgage programs out there — the VA loan. VA loans are mortgages designed specifically for military members, and they can make becoming a homeowner infinitely easier. Are you considering buying a house? Here are three ways a VA loan can help ease the process: 1. They reduce the upfront costs. One of the biggest benefits of the VA mortgage program is that it requires zero down payment. Considering other mortgage options ask for 3% at minimum ($9,000 on a $300,000 house), that ..read more

Veterans and military members are pretty lucky when it comes to buying a home. For one, they have a mortgage program designed just for them — one only homebuyers who are veterans or currently in the military can take advantage of.  Even better? It’s arguably the best mortgage product out there. Dubbed the VA loan (Veterans Affairs loan), these military mortgages come with low interest rates, require no mortgage insurance, and have no down payment requirement whatsoever, as long as the sales price isn’t higher than the home’s appraised value. Considering other mortgages require at least 3 ..read more

With mortgage rates so low, many homeowners have chosen to refinance in the last year. Doing so can reduce not only the long-term costs of your loan but also your monthly payment too. If you have a VA loan, your best bet for refinancing is an IRRRL — or Interest Rate Reduction Refinance Loan. These loans are specifically designed for VA borrowers looking to reduce their interest rate or move to a fixed-rate loan from an adjustable-rate mortgage. Do you fall into one of those two categories? Here’s what you need to know about the IRRRL option. What is the VA IRRRL? The VA IRRRL is a refinancing ..read more

It doesn’t get better than a Veterans Administration (VA) mortgage — if you can qualify for one. Reserved for military members, veterans, and their spouses, these mortgages come with serious benefits. Are you or your spouse a military member or veteran? Here are just a few of the reasons you may want to consider a VA mortgage loan: 1. They require no down payment (in most instances). Perhaps the biggest advantage of VA loans is that they don’t require a down payment. That means you need less saved up to buy a home (or maybe you can even buy a home sooner than you thought! 2. They don’t require ..read more

If you’re a US military service member or veteran, then you’re likely aware of VA loans — as well as the perks they offer for qualified homebuyers. With no down payments and capped closing costs, they’re often the most affordable mortgage on the block. But these aren’t the only advantages a VA loan comes with. In fact, if you’re planning on buying or selling a home in the near future, there’s another big one you need to know about: Assumption VA Loans are Assumable! It’s not talked about much, but there’s one major differentiator between VA loans and some other mortgage loan options out there ..read more

Military families have a lot of choices when it comes to where to live. They can, of course, live on base among other military members. Or, if they prefer, they can choose to rent or buy a property in the surrounding community. Both of these options can be good if you’re looking for some separation between your work and home life. They can also be beneficial if you want to be near certain schools, close to a spouse’s workplace, or near friends and family in the area. But which route is the best one to take? Should you rent or buy your off-base housing? And how do you decide? Let’s look at it f ..read more

As an active police officer, I understand the potential stresses and financial burdens our everyday heroes go through on a daily basis. With the increased medical coverage and pension contributions over the past few years, many of our paychecks are potentially decreasing instead of increasing, despite the yearly percentage raises we receive. One way to alleviate this financial stress would be to get a cash flow plan with your mortgage, allowing you to have more financial freedom. A lot of police officers and firefighters have been using the benefits of this exclusive mortgage program available ..read more

VA loans — or loans backed by the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs — are traditionally reserved for veterans or current active military members. But surviving spouses who have lost their military-employed husband or wife can also potentially qualify, too. It’s likely welcome news for these widows and widowers, as VA loans come with serious benefits — things like no down payment requirements, low interest rates, and 100-percent financing. Are you the surviving spouse of a veteran or military member? Here’s how to tell if you qualify for a valuable VA loan: Your spouse died in service or due ..read more