Maria asks…

What are VA home mortgage rates? Are these rates set by the VA or can a mortgage co. charge higher rates.?

My son has apply for a VA home mortgage through lending tree.The mortgage co. is Mortgage Now. The VA website has a interest rate listed at 5.000%, for VA loans, but the interest rate charged by Mortgage Now is 5.875. Can the Mortgage Co. charge a higher interest. The good faith estimate had 5.8, they were told that was just an estimate and that would be the most they would be charged. They are to close soon and the closing settlement charges have the interest rate @5.875. Can they charge a high rate than the VA has on their site.

Admin answers:

Yes, they can. The Veterans Administration does not actually make loans. They act as an insurance company. The money comes from the bank but the loan has an insurance policy in the form of the VA funding fee you pay to obtain the loan. This funding fee covers the insurance for the bank with the VA and insures that in the event of a default by your son, the bank will be able to get most of their money back. This insurance is what makes the loan a VA loan. Without it, the loan is considered a conventional loan and your mortgage company would then obtain the insurance through a private mortgage insurance company (PMI).

Consequently, the rate charged by the institution is at their discretion. However it must be within reason or the VA may not allow them to continue making VA loans. 5.875 is somewhat high right now for a typical VA loan. I would question this with the lender. There may be a reason for this, but without reviewing your file, I have no idea on what that may be.

Michael asks…

Do you know anything about VA home loans?

Seven years ago, a family member bought a condo with a VA home loan. The mortgage company sold the account to Fleet who stopped sending bills or coupons for payments. Essentially, they screwed my family member and after two late payments (it took 18 days to process because there was no payment coupon included) they started foreclosure procedures. Really bad company to do business with. She had no choice but to file bankruptcy. They foreclosed on her in less then two months and the condo sat vacant for over a year and a half. No one helped her and the mortgage company even hung up on me when I called them. Can she qualify for a VA home loan again?

Admin answers:

I am so sorry to hear this kind of thing happening to our veterans that served our country. It is horrible and I am very sad for you. I reviewed the guidelines and according to the VA regulations regarding entitlements for home loans it does not appear that your family member would be able to get another VA home loan. It would be a good idea to contact the Veterans Administration directly and inquire about obtaining another “certificate of eligibility”, especially if there is no outstanding deficit judgment. Hope this helps!
FYI: if veterans have financial problems they can call the VA for help prior to the act of foreclosure or bankruptcy.

Nancy asks…

VA home loans vs. other mortgages?

How is a VA loan different than an FHA loan, in terms of interest rates and how the property is appraised? Do they have the same standards, or is one more lenient than another? Which one would be the best bet for a mortgage? Thanks in advance.

Admin answers:

Rates are always the same and the appraisal is done by either a certified FHA or VA appraiser, but the valuation calculation is done the same way.

If you can get a VA mortgage, get a VA.

VA is better than an FHA b/c you don’t pay PMI with a VA or a down payment.

Robert asks…

Where to get a VA Home loan mortgage for low income but good credit, catch 22, MINNESOTA?

I just got out of the military last year and am looking to buy a home w/ a VA home loan. I’m in college full time and working for the federal gov’t part time. Because I only work part time my income APPEARS to be very low right now temporarily while I am in college. I have a rather high credit score of 724, but here is the cautch 22. I figure in order to get approved I would have to show a higher income such as adding my wife to the mortgage. But she has very bad credit score. So what do I do? I have the good credit score but temporarily not enough income, she would add to the income but lower the credit score. The funny thing is, the homes we are looking at we could afford easily with our eyes closed no problem. We have been paying nearly $1500 a month rent for the past year on time perfectly and I never miss a payment on anything but do lenders ever look at that kind of thing, perfect rent payment history?
Any advice? Any suggested VA mortgage lenders in MINNESOTA?

Admin answers:

It really depends on your wife’s credit score. With FHA if she has over a 620, normally that’s not an issue.

Donald asks…

Reselling a home that was purchased under the VA home loan?

My husband and I recently purchased a house with a VA mortgage. We need to know how long we have to wait until we can put it back on the market. Please anybody who could help let me know.
The main reason I’m asking because I know that they require you live in the house for the first year before you rent it out.

Admin answers:

You can sell your house anytime you want to. VA is just a mortgage financial agency to help veterans buy a home. No strings attached.

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