VA Loans: Major Benefits to Consider

by Susan Coleman 05/21/2023

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has helped countless veterans finance their home ownership goals. While you have the choice of a conventional loan offered by other mortgage lenders, there are some significant benefits to VA loans. Here are some of the most important advantages to consider:

No Down Payment

The most famous benefit of VA loans is the lack of down payments. Homebuyers taking out a conventional loan typically need to pay around 3% of the home's purchase price up front as part of their loan terms. Even a small percentage can mean tens of thousands of dollars out of pocket. A VA loan will help you save this money instead of potentially draining your hard-earned savings.

No Private Mortgage Insurance

Private mortgage insurance is required by lenders to protect them against the chance of you defaulting on your loan. Not only do these insurance policies have hefty upfront charges, the ongoing annual cost can last the entire life of your loan. Luckily, with VA loans, there is no requirement for private mortgage insurance, saving you money and time.

Easier Financial Requirements

Mortgage lenders conduct a careful analysis of your financial profile when you apply for a loan. For most lenders, credit score requirements can be especially strict. Even if you qualify for a loan, a lower credit score might mean higher interest rates or private mortgage insurance premiums. VA loans don't have a credit score requirement, so no matter what state your credit is in, you can still be approved for a loan.

The same goes for debt-to income ratios. While VA lenders still consider DTI ratios in the approval process, the requirements are much more flexible and forgiving. Even with a high debt-to-income ratio, you can be approved for a VA home loan with other financial factors like credit score working in your favor.

These are only a few of the major benefits offered by VA home loans. Remember these factors if you're deciding between a VA or conventional loan so you can make the best decision for your situation.

About the Author
Author

Susan Coleman

I love what I do. I employ skills I’ve honed over a long period of time, to deliver my clients’ dreams. As my tagline says: “Skills that Deliver Your Dreams”. What could be a better occupation than this? To me, it’s not really so much about houses; it’s overwhelmingly about people, their objectives, hopes, fears, nuances. Each client processes very differently the myriad information and emotions involved in conveying property. My focus is to understand their process and deliver them a great experience, not as determined by me, but as defined by my client. I enjoy thinking unconventionally, to