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December 7, 2018
How to Support Troops for the Holidays
If you know active duty service personnel directly:

Collect items to ship that are meaningful for your deployed service member. Personal gifts can help them to feel emotionally connected despite their distance. Drawings from children, hand-written letters from family and friends, and printed photos are perfect examples. A USB or external drive can include their style of music, movies or home-videos to provide hours of entertainment. Despite not being with you for a home-cooked meal, you know their preferences for non-perishable foods or their favorite sauce/flavoring packets to enhance their meals.

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October 18, 2018
Operation Welcome Home

What is Operation Welcome Home?

Operation Welcome Home is our program to help veterans achieve their goal of home ownership. With the VA home loan benefit, there are several nuances that are integral for a successful home purchase transaction. We want veteran borrowers to have the peace of mind that their realtor has knowledge of the VA loan process, and is always working in their best interest.

 

How does it work?

We match our veteran borrower with an Operation Welcome Home partner VA specialized realtor in their area. We maintain an up-to-date network of VA specialized real estate agents around the country. This helps us ensure that our veteran borrowers receive first-class benefits.

All you have to do to begin this process is:

  • Call one of our VA Loan Specialists or send us a message through our website.
  • Mention that you heard of Operation Welcome Home and would like to find a VA specialized realtor where you are looking to purchase.
  • We will get you prequalified for a VA Home Loan and connect you with an Operation Welcome Home partner realtor in your area to help you find your dream home!

 

How will it help me?

Having a real estate agent with the knowledge and expertise in the VA home loan process is a huge advantage for our veteran borrowers.  Having a veteran-friendly agent in your corner makes the homebuying journey less stressful and saves you time and money, all at no cost to you. Additionally, by using one of our selected agents, borrowers may qualify for a cash back bonus after closing!

 

Let us help you buy the home of your dreams! If you would like to learn more about our Operation Welcome Home program, please visit our website here.

October 11, 2018
VA Loans for the Self-Employed

Being self-employed offers many freedoms a typical office job does not. There’s more flexibility, and being in control of your own schedule can be great for work/life balance. However, self-employment can also come with income inconsistencies which could make getting a mortgage more challenging. Most self-employed applicants will need two years of tax returns and other important documents to verify their income when applying for a VA loan. We’ve outlined a few key points to consider if you fall under the self-employed category.

Who is Considered Self-Employed?

– Borrowers who own their own business or at least 25% of a partnered business.

– Freelance and contract workers whose income is solely documents with a 1099-MISC form. If you are a retiree or disabled veteran and document your income with a Form 1099, most lenders typically do not view you as self-employed.

Documents to Consider: 

Self-employment situations can vary, but most lenders will assess the following income documents to determine your ability to repay a loan:

–      Full individual tax returns for two years

–      Full income tax returns for two years

–      Year-to-date profit and loss statements

–      Business balance sheets

–      Information on stock-holders and partners (if applicable)

 

Should you have a side business in addition to a salaried position, and you want that income to be considered by a lender, you should include the same two-year history from tax returns and Form 1099s.

Since each self-employed scenario is so unique, it’s important to work with an experienced VA Loan Specialist. They will help make sure you have the correct income documentation prepared to submit with your loan application.

September 26, 2018
Understanding Your Credit

Having a good understanding of your credit will help you make a more informed decision when it comes time to purchasing a home. Many people struggle with knowing exactly what their credit score means, and how they can work to improve it. We have answered some of the most important questions to help you have a better understanding of what your credit score means.

 

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September 20, 2018
Home Repairs with a VA Loan

When purchasing a property with a VA Home Loan, it’s important to have an understanding of the potential repair requirements that may need to be completed. The VA wants to be sure that the investment they make in your loan is sound, and that you, the buyer, will be protected from costly repairs down the road.

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September 12, 2018
Five Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Home Inspector

While an inspection is optional, it can be an important part of the home buying process, especially when using a VA Home Loan. Oftentimes, buyers want an in-depth look at any potential problems a property may have, so they get an inspection prior to the lender ordering a VA appraisal. Before hiring a home inspector, here are five questions you should ask:

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September 5, 2018
Common Errors in Credit Reports

The federal government entitles you to access your credit report each year. This provides you the opportunity to see where you stand financially as a potential homeowner. But did you know that your credit report could have errors in it? Here are some inaccuracies to look out for that could affect not only your credit score, but how lenders and creditors view your financial standing:

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