National Purple Heart Day and VA Loans

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 known 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 by giving them the opportunity to qualify for one of the most powerful mortgage programs out there — the VA home loan.

VA loans are mortgages designed specifically for military members and can make becoming a homeowner 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 loan program over a conventional loan is that it requires zero down payment. Considering other mortgage loan type options ask for 3% at minimum ($9,000 on a $300,000 house), that’s some big upfront savings right off the bat.

VA loans also have limited closing costs, and you can even have the sellers cover a big portion too. This can also help save you at the outset and make getting your foot in the door of homeownership much easier.

2. They make it easier to qualify.

The Department of Veterans Affairs doesn’t have a set credit score minimum, as other loan programs do. (On conventional loans, you can typically expect to need a score in the 600s at the very least, though FHA loans may go lower.)

If you’re still active military, you can even use your Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) to qualify. Together, these two benefits can help lower the barrier to homeownership and potentially even help you buy a house sooner. 

3. They make it more affordable.

VA mortgages don’t just save you upfront. They also don’t require private mortgage insurance like FHA loans (and many conventional loans), which saves you on both your monthly and annual mortgage costs. 

Even better? VA mortgages typically come with lower interest rates (the government’s guarantee of VA loans makes them less risky, so lenders can therefore offer lower rates). These rates mean a lower monthly payment and fewer long-term interest costs.

Learn more about VA loans

If you’re considering a VA mortgage, get in touch with a loan officer with Embrace Home Loans in your area today. They can help walk you through the requirements, as well as how much you might qualify for, given your entitlement and service member record.

You can also learn more about VA loans in this guide, or check out the many benefits and perks that VA loans have to offer. 

Thank you to all our veterans, both past and present.