Blog
What’s the Best Home Mortgage for Me?
VA Home Loans are not the only type of mortgage product we offer. Let’s compare and contrast the various types of home loans and help you decide what’s right for you. VA Mortgages Benefits: Low or no down payment No…
Five Tips to a great home buyer’s letter
We don’t expect that you’ll take out the old Underwood typewriter and start hammering away old-school style, but writing a well-founded and well-crafted letter to the seller may just put you over the top when it comes to securing that…
When’s the ‘Right Time’ to Downsize
Such a simple question with quite a few complex issues to research as you ponder whether to downsize your current home. While purchasing a smaller residence can be a great way to lower monthly costs, it may not be the…
Same-Sex Marriage and the VA Home Loan
As per Federal Law, the VA recognizes same-sex marriage and affords Veterans and active-duty service members equal benefits under the law. History of Same-Sex Marriage in the United States On May 17, 2004, Massachusetts became the first U.S. state to…
What Happens to a VA Loan When the Veteran Dies?
This is not a matter anyone wants to openly think or talk about, but it is a subject that needs to be discussed when determining the outcome of a VA loan with the Veteran dies. Paying off a VA Loan…
Post-9/11 GI Bill
Graduation season is upon us and that got us to thinking about a great program from the VA: the Post-9/11 GI Bill. This Bill offers higher education and training benefits to Veterans, Servicemembers, and their families who served after Sept.…
Military Spouse Appreciation Day
President Ronald Reagan declared May 23, 1984 the first Military Spouse Day. Since then, the Friday preceding Mother’s Day has been the standardized date for this celebration. Some Demographics There are over 1.3 million Active Duty military personnel serving the…
May is National Military Appreciation Month
In 1999 Senator John McCain, of Arizona, introduced legislation designating May as National Military Appreciation Month. That resolution was adopted by both the Senate and House of Representatives and Americans are called upon to recognize and honor U.S. Service Members…
A VA Home Loan Isn’t Always All About the Rate
Lower mortgage rates are just one part of the equation when assessing the benefits of a VA home loan. In fact, when you break it down in more detail, you’ll find rate, in and of itself, may not even be…
Purple Up Day
Friday, April 21 marks Purple Up Day, part of the DoDEA’s Month of the Military Child. This is a day for communities across the country to wear purple to show support and thank military children for their strength and sacrifices.…
Resources for Military Families and Their Children
April is recognized as the “Month of the Military Child” and we’ve put together a guide of resources for military families, with the help of the Center for Parent Information and Resources, to help them cope with the challenges of…
Three Tax Benefits of VA Home Ownership
Last month we took a light-hearted look at some of the challenges of renting vs buying a home and now with tax season fully upon us, let’s take a closer look at just three ways VA home ownership can be…
Large Acreage and the VA Home Loan
While a VA home loan cannot be used for business loans, including farming, Veterans CAN use the benefits to purchase a farm on which there is a residence, with NO LIMIT on the number of acres. Some points to keep…
Renting vs. Buying: That is the Question
Not every Veteran is in a position to choose between buying and renting. For those of you who are pondering that choice we present you with some numbers that may help you make your decision. Some Basic Numbers: According to…
VA Home Buyers Do’s and Don’ts Checklist
When starting the process of buying a home, it’s very important that VA home buyers and lenders are on the same page to ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience! By following some simple do’s and don’ts both sides will find the…
Student Loan Debt and the VA Home Loan
Many Veterans and active duty military find themselves in the midst of student loan debt and this can affect your overall debt ratio when it comes to applying for a VA home loan. There is a new policy from the…
Certificate of Eligibility and the VA Loan Process
A Certificate of Eligibility (COE) is an official document that proves you are eligible to participate in the VA Loan Guarantee program. This is a very important piece of documentation when applying for a VA home loan. There are several…
Buy or Rent a Home? Helping Military Families Make the Right Choice
Deciding whether to buy or rent a home is always a significant financial and emotional decision and can be even more complicated for military families. If you are regularly packing up for the next PCS, it’s difficult to know which…
What Veterans Need to Know about VA Loan Assumptions
There is a belief that VA Loans are only assumable by Veterans, but that’s not necessarily the case. If you purchased a home with a VA guaranteed mortgage loan you may find yourself in a position where you need to…
