
Military veterans may use the mortgage programs provided by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to fund a house purchase. The VA insures lenders against a loss of principal if the debtor defaults on the mortgage. If you’re eligible for a VA loan and planning to buy a new house, using a VA loan may be the ideal selection for your house mortgage.
Low or no Down Payment
A VA home loan is one of the few mortgage programs that will fund buying a house with no down payment. The closest choice is an FHA-insured mortgage, that requires a 3.5 percent down payment. Traditional mortgage sources usually require no less than 5 percent . To have a VA loan with zero down, the Department of Veterans Affairs charges a funding fee. The fee for a zero down loan was 2.15% in 2010. In the event the veteran decides to cover a bigger down payment, the funding fee is reduced. A down payment of 5 to 10 percent reduces the funding fee to 1.5 percent.
Limitations on Closing Costs and Fees
The U.S. government limits the amount of fees lenders can charge on a VA loan. The lender’s origination fee is limited to 1 percent. Each regional VA office defines the fair closing costs for your area, and this is the maximum amount a lender may charge on a VA loan. VA rules also permit the seller to pay closing costs equal to 4 percent of the purchase price of a house. If the house purchase price in regard to the evaluation value is structured correctly, a veteran can purchase a house with VA financing and very low out-of-pocket expenses.
No Private Mortgage Insurance
The Department of Veterans Affairs ensures 25 percent of the loan value to the lender. This assurance functions as loan , and the lender isn’t allowed to charge private mortgage insurance. Personal mortgage insurance is paid by home buyers using a conventional mortgage with less than a 20 percent down payment. Not paying PMI may conserve veteran $50 to several hundred dollars each month when using a VA loan instead of additional mortgage sources.