Serving Those Who’ve Served Our Nation

Veterans Day

As a nation, we dedicate Veterans Day to publicly recognize those who bravely serve our country.  We recognize the brave men and women who have put their lives on the line for the values and beliefs we hold dear: life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

If you haven’t had a chance to catch The Vietnam War, a docu-series by Ken Burns and Lyn Novick that premiered on PBS last month, you’re missing an extraordinary look into the lives of those who’ve served our country.

The 10-part series takes an in-depth look at the war from both sides. The war, which spanned three administrations and went on for 19 years, was controversial and divisive. More divisive than any event since the Civil War. Those who served and returned to America in the wake of an unpopular war, the impact changed their lives forever.

For those who died serving their country, their sacrifice is commemorated with statues and memorials. But what of those who survived? How do we honor them? How do we thank them for doing so much to protect our freedom?

Creating the GI Bill

Beginning in 1944 with the Servicemen’s Readjustment Act — also known as the GI Bill — the Federal Government sought to make returning home easier at the of World War II.  The GI Bill and VA mortgage program were designed to reward and assist returning. Congress recognized that homeownership was central to the American dream. Making the VA mortgage program the centerpiece of the act.

The VA itself has never offered loans directly.  It guarantees to repay loans to those lenders should the borrower default.  The program has gone through many changes and improvements over the years. The goal always is  to meet the demands of higher home prices and fluctuating interest rates. In  2016 alone the VA guaranteed 700,000 loans.

VA Loans

At Embrace Home Loans we are proud to offer VA Loans with little or no down payment and financing of up to 100% of a home’s value. There is no mortgage insurance requirement and no appraisal for Vets who want to refinance to a lower interest rate. VA loans are guaranteed and less risky, Embrace Home Loans is able to offer competitive interest rates and flexible terms. Closing costs can be rolled into the loan with no income asset documentation required in most cases.

To take advantage of both VA and our streamlined VA Interest Reduction Refinancing Loan (IRRRL) programs, you must be a Veteran or surviving spouse, have served 181 days active duty during peacetime or 90 days during war time or 6 years in the Reserves or National Guard. Spouses of a service members killed in the line of duty are also able to take advantage of the many benefits a VA loan has to offer.

On this Veteran’s Day, as we do throughout the year, all of us here at Embrace Home Loans salute you and thank your for your service.