**Remember, the VA does not make home loans. They insure the loans that the lender assists you in getting.   I have a great lender who is second to none and will assist you getting a VA insured mortgage loan at the lowest possible rates.

**See charts at bottom of page for VA Loan Limits in Maryland and Virginia.

VA LOAN CLOSING COSTS

The veteran can pay a maximum of all reasonable and customary amounts for any and all of the "Itemized Fees and Charges" designated by VA as defined below plus a 1% flat charge by the lender plus reasonable discount points. Some special provisions apply to construction, alteration, improvement and repair loans.


**HOW TO HAVE MINIMAL TO NO CLOSING COSTS

Please note that often times veterans believe that closing costs are covered by a VA mortgage. **While that is not technically true, the same effect can be reached through careful structuring of your real estate contract which I will assist you with. For more specific numbers in this regard after we have started looking for properties, we will request a Good Faith Estimate for a particular property that you have an interest.

ITEMIZED FEES AND CHARGES

The VA defines allowable fees and charges that the veteran borrower can pay or closing costs that may be charged to the borrower. These costs are determined as reasonable and customary by each local VA office. All other costs in the transaction are considered non-allowable and generally paid by the seller when purchasing a new home or by the lender when refinancing your current VA mortgage. Itemized fees and charges are as follows:

APPRAISAL AND COMPLIANCE INSPECTIONS

The veteran can pay the fee of a VA Appraiser and VA compliance inspectors. The veteran can also pay for a second appraisal if they are requesting a reconsideration of value. The veteran cannot pay for a second appraisal if the lender or seller is requesting a reconsideration of value or if parties other than the veteran or lender request the appraisal.

RECORDING FEES

The veteran can pay for recording fees and recording taxes or other charges incident to recordation.

CREDIT REPORT

The veteran is allowed to pay for the credit report obtained by the lender.

PREPAID ITEMS

The veteran can pay that portion of taxes, assessments, and similar items for the current year chargeable to the borrower and the initial deposit for the tax and insurance account.

HAZARD INSURANCE

The veteran can pay for the hazard insurance premium. This includes flood insurance, if required.

FLOOD ZONE DETERMINATION

The veteran can pay the actual amount charged for a determination of whether a property is in a special flood hazard area, if made by a third party who guarantees the accuracy of the determination.

SURVEY

The veteran can pay a charge for a survey, if required by the lender.

TITLE EXAMINATION AND TITLE INSURANCE

The veteran may pay a fee for title examination and title insurance, if any. If the lender decides that an environmental protection lien endorsement to a title policy is needed, the cost of the endorsement may be charged to the veteran.

SPECIAL MAILING FEES FOR REFINANCING LOANS

For refinancing loans only, the veteran can pay charges for Express Mail or a similar service when the saved per diem interest cost to the veteran will exceed the cost of the special handling.

VA FUNDING FEE

Unless exempt from the fee (10% minimum disability from the VA), each veteran must pay a funding fee to VA.

OTHER FEES AUTHORIZED BY THE VA

Additional fees attributable to local variances may be charged to the veteran only if specifically authorized by VA. The lender may request VA to approve such a fee if it is, (a) normally paid by the borrower in a particular jurisdiction, and (b)considered reasonable and customary in the jurisdiction.

The following list provides examples of items that CANNOT be charged to the veteran as "itemized fees and charges." Instead, the lender must cover any cost of these items out of its flat 1% fee.

Loan closing or settlement fees, document preparation fees, preparing loan papers or conveyance fees, attorneys services other than for title work, photographs, interest rate lock - in fees, postage and other mailing charges, stationery, telephone calls and other overhead, amortization schedules, pass books, and membership or entrance fees, escrow fees or charges, notary fees, preparation and assignment of mortgage to other secondary market purchasers, trustee's fees or charges, loan application or processing fees, fees for preparation of truth-in-lending disclosure statement, fees charges by loan brokers, finders or other third parties, and tax service fees.

When reviewing allowable borrower fees and charges, many of the items can be paid for by the seller of the home and can be negotiable when presenting an offer on a home to the seller.

VA LOAN FUNDING FEE

The VA funding fee is required by law. The fee, currently 2.15% on no down payment loans for a first-time use, is intended to enable the veteran who obtains a VA home loan to contribute toward the cost of this benefit, and thereby reduce the cost to taxpayers. The funding fee for second time users who do not make a down payment is 3.3%. The idea of a higher fee for second time use is based on the fact that these veterans have already had a chance to use the benefit once, and also that prior users have had time to accumulate equity or save money towards a down payment.

For purchase and construction loans, members of the regular military fall into the category of first time user or subsequent user. For first time users, no down payment requires a 2.15% fee, up to 10% down payment requires a 1.5% fee, and 10% or more requires a 1.25% fee. For subsequent users, no down payment requires a 3.3% fee, up to 10% down payment requires a 1.50% fee, and 10% or more requires a 1.25% fee.

For the category of Reserves / National Guard, first time users with no down payment requires a 2.4% fee, up to 10% down payment requires a 1.75% fee, and 10% or more requires a 1.5% fee. For subsequent users, no down payment requires a 3.3% fee, up to 10% down payment requires a 1.75% fee, and 10% or more requires a 1.5% fee.

Cash-out refinancing loans for regular military requires a 2.15% fee for first time users and a 3.3% fee for subsequent users. For Reserves / National Guard, the requirement is a 2.4% fee for first time users and a 3.3% fee for subsequent users. On interest rate reduction loans, the VA funding fee is .50% and it is 1.0% on Manufactured Home Loans.

The following persons are exempt from paying the funding fee:

• Veterans receiving VA compensation for service-connected disabilities.
• Veterans who would be entitled to receive compensation for service-connected disabilities if they did not receive retirement pay.
• Surviving spouses of veterans who died in service or from service-connected disabilities (whether or not such surviving spouses are veterans with their own entitlement and whether or not they are using their own entitlement on the loan).

**Please note and understand that the VA has the final say on who is exempt.

VA MORTGAGE DEBT-TO-INCOME RATIO

According to VA guidelines, borrowers and / or their spouse must qualify according to set debt ratios which are used to determine whether the borrower can reasonably be expected to meet the expenses involved with home ownership.


TOTAL FIXED PAYMENT TO EFFECTIVE INCOME

Add up the total mortgage payment (principal and interest, escrow deposits for taxes, hazard insurance, homeowners' dues, etc.) and all recurring monthly revolving and installment debt (car loans, personal loans, student loans, credit cards, etc.). Then, take that amount and divide it by the gross monthly income. The maximum ratio to qualify is 41%. In the event the number exceeds the 41%, the VA has a residual income guideline which can allow approval, yet are not considered a compensating factor.

Please note that the above indicators do not exclusively determine whether or not a veteran will qualify for a VA loan. Compensating factors may affect the loan decision. These factors are especially important when reviewing loans which are marginal with respect to residual income or debt-to-income ratio. They cannot be used to compensate for unsatisfactory credit.

Some compensating factors with marginal credit include , but are not limited to the following:

• Excellent credit history
• Conservative use of consumer credit
• Minimal consumer debt
• Long-term employment
• Significant liquid assets
• Military benefits and more

THE LAW ON OCCUPANCY

The law requires a veteran obtaining a VA guaranteed loan to certify that he or she intends to personally occupy the property as his or her home. As of the date of certification, the veteran must either (1) personally live in the property as his or her home, or (2) intend, upon completion of the loan and acquisition of the dwelling, to personally move into the property and use it as his or her home within 60 days after the loan closing (reasonable).

The above requirement applies to all types of VA guaranteed loans except Interest Rate Reduction Refinancing Loans (IRRRLs). For IRRRLs, the veteran need only certify that he or she previously occupied the property as his or her home.

CO-SIGNORS OR JOINT VA LOANS

The VA guidelines recognize legally married spouses of qualified veterans as co-signors on VA loans and can include their income. These loans can be fully guaranteed by the VA.

The VA guidelines will allow for more than one eligible veteran(s) to purchase a home. If more than one eligible veteran is involved, VA divides the entitlement charge equally between them, if possible. These loans can be fully guaranteed by the VA.

While the VA guidelines may allow for a non-veteran to co-sign for a mortgage loan, they will not fully guarantee the loan. The VA Guarantee is limited to that portion of the loan allocated to the veteran's interest in the property. That means the VA will not fully guarantee this type of loan and most lenders cannot originate loans that are not fully guaranteed by the VA.

VA LOAN CREDIT ISSUES

VA will analyze a borrower's past credit performance in determining the loan for approval. A borrower who has made timely payments for the last 12 months serves as a guide and demonstrates their willingness to repay future credit obligations. On the opposite side, a borrower who reflects continuous slow payments, judgments and delinquent accounts is not a good candidate for loan approval.

**Below is a list of items concerning the borrower's credit.

LATE MORTGAGE PAYMENTS

In circumstances not involving bankruptcy, satisfactory credit is generally considered to be reestablished after the veteran, or veteran and spouse, have made satisfactory payments for 12 months after the date of the last derogatory credit item(s).

When the underwriter analyzes the borrowers credit; it is the overall pattern of credit behavior that must be reviewed, rather than isolated cases of slow payments. A period of financial difficulty does not disqualify the borrower if a good payment pattern has been maintained since then.

Account balances reduced to judgment by a court must either be paid in full or subject to a repayment plan with a history of timely payments.

NO CREDIT HISTORY

In the area of credit, the lack of an established credit history should not be a deterrent to loan approval. As provided in the credit standards, a satisfactory payment history on items such as rent, utilities, phone bills, etc., may be used to establish a satisfactory credit history.

CHAPTER 7 BANKRUPTCY

The VA guidelines state that a minimum of two years must elapse since the discharge date of the borrower and / or spouse's Chapter 7 bankruptcy, not the filing date. A full explanation of the bankruptcy will be required. The borrower must also have re-established good credit, qualify financially and have good job stability.

CHAPTER 13 BANKRUPTCY

The VA guidelines state that they will consider a borrower still paying on a Chapter 13 Bankruptcy if the payments to the court have been satisfactorily made and verified for a period of one year. In addition, the court trustee will need to give written approval to proceed. A full explanation of the bankruptcy will be required. The borrower must also have re-established good credit, qualify financially and have good job stability.

COLLECTIONS, JUDGEMENTS AND FEDERAL DEBTS

The VA guidelines state that if a collection is minor in nature, it usually does not need to be paid off as a condition for loan approval. Judgments must be paid in full prior to closing. A borrower is not eligible for the loan if they are delinquent on any federal debt. This can include tax liens, student loans, etc. Payment arrangements that would bring the borrower up to date may be considered for loan approval.

FORECLOSURE

A borrower whose previous residence or other real property was foreclosed on or given a deed-in-lieu of foreclosure within the previous two years since the disposition date is generally not eligible for a VA insured mortgage. If the foreclosure was on a VA loan, the applicant may not have full entitlement available for the new loan.

CREDIT REPAIR/REHABILITATION PROGRAM

If a veteran, or veteran and spouse, have prior adverse credit and are participating in a Credit Repair/Rehabilitation Program, they may be determined to be a satisfactory credit risk if they demonstrate 12 months' satisfactory payments.

VA MORTGAGE CHECKLIST

Before you start the loan process, you'll need to have some information at hand for all loan applicants:

1.     Social Security numbers

2.   Residence addresses for the past two years

3.   Names and addresses of your employers over past two years

4.   Your current gross monthly salary

5.    Names, addresses, account numbers and balances on all checking and savings accounts

6.   Names, addresses, account numbers, balances and monthly payments on all open loans

7.    Addresses and loan information of other real estate owned

8.   Estimated value of furniture and personal property

9.   Certificate of Eligibility and DD214, (for veterans only)

10.  W2's for the past two years and current check stubs

11.  For self-employed individuals, you will need to provide personal tax returns for the past two years, current income statement and balance sheet for the business.

**Other costs to consider are: home inspection, appraisal of property and credit report. 

 


**Charts for VA Loan Limits Maryland and Virginia below.


 

**VA loan limits for veteran loans insured for MARYLAND counties.

Although VA guaranteed loans do not have a maximum dollar amount, lenders who sell their VA loans in the secondary market must limit the size of those loans to the maximums prescribed by GNMA (Ginnie Mae) which are listed below.

VA loan limits for veteran loans insured for VIRGINIA counties.

Although VA guaranteed loans do not have a maximum dollar amount, lenders who sell their VA loans in the secondary market must limit the size of those loans to the maximums prescribed by GNMA (Ginnie Mae) which are listed below.