VA Mortgage Credit Score Requirements - Boise Idaho | Real Estate Industry Blog

VA Home Loan Credit Score Requirements – Boise Idaho

by on March 5, 2012

The VA does not require a certain credit score in order for approval.

However, the actual mortgage lenders are allowed to set their own standards for Boise Idaho VA loan requirements.

In the recent years, eligible veterans and military personnel have enjoyed an easier mortgage process than was available to many home buyers obtaining conventional loans. Occasionally, a veteran could receive a loan through the VA with a lower credit score and little or no down payment.

Changing economic conditions and increased losses due to loan defaults have motivated lenders to limit the availability of such mortgage deals.

Since early 2010, most lenders in the U.S. have tightened their lending and credit score requirements, making these loans harder to come by.

As a result, getting a loan without a down payment is more difficult, though one of the few remaining options for 100% financing is a Boise Idaho VA Mortgage. Major lending groups have generally resolved to set the minimum credit score requirement at 620.

These conditions similarly impact the Idaho VA Streamline Refinance program. Previously, the program let borrowers with a standing VA loan refinance to another VA loan without an appraisal. This allows veterans to navigate the process with much less paperwork by streamlining the process.

Most lenders now require borrowers to pay up to $300 or more for their own appraisal, which varies in price depending on the location and value of the home. If the appraisal shows the home value to be less than the VA loan amount, the lenders are likely to decline the application.

There is some good news for those eligible for a Boise Idaho VA loan, and the VA lenders who offer them: VA borrowers default significantly less (2.6%) than prime borrowers in general (3.4%).

However, the credit scores of V.A. insured borrowers are generally lower than other prime borrowers, according to the Federal Housing Finance Agency.

All things considered, Boise Idaho VA Mortgage loans remain a great opportunity. Veterans and active duty military personnel who qualify can often secure a low mortgage rate and meet the VA loan requirements even if their credit score is less than perfect.

In addition, about 25% of applicants to the Boise Idaho VA Mortgage loans, such as disabled or retired veterans, qualify for exemption from the one-time insurance fee that amounts to about 0.5% – 3.3% of the loan amount, depending on the scenario.

Frequently Asked Idaho VA Home Loan Questions:

 

Q: What is a VA Guaranteed Home Loan?

A: VA guaranteed home loans are loans made to eligible veterans for the purchase of a home as their primary residence. The guaranty means the lender is protected against loss if you fail to repay the loan. The guaranty replaces the protection the lender normally receives by requiring a down payment allowing you to obtain favorable financing terms.

Q: Does my entitlement guarantee that I will get a home loan?

A: No VA cannot compel a lender to make a loan that would violate their lender policies.

Q: How much is my entitlement?

A: Your basic entitlement is $36,000. For loans in excess of $144,000 to purchase or construct a home, additional entitlement up to an amount equal to 25 percent of the Idaho VA county loan limit for a single family home may be available .  This means that qualified veterans could get a no down payment purchase loan for those amounts.

Q: How do I apply for a VA guaranteed loan?

A: You can apply for a VA loan with my company who is a mortgage lender that participates in the VA home loan program. At some point you will need to get a Certificate of Eligibility from VA to prove to the lender that you are eligible for a VA loan.

Q: How do I get a Certificate of Eligibility?

A:  Complete a VA Form 26-1880, Request for a Certificate of Eligibility. You can apply for a Certificate of Eligibility by submitting a completed VA Form 26-1880, Request for a Certificate of Eligibility for Home Loan Benefits, to the Winston-Salem Eligibility Center, along with proof of military service.

Q: Can my lender get my Certificate of Eligibility for me?

A: Yes, it’s called Web LGY. Most lenders have access to the Web LGY system. This internet based application can establish eligibility and issue an online Certificate of Eligibility in a matter of seconds. Not all cases can be processed through Web LGY – only those for which VA has sufficient data in our records.

Q: What is acceptable proof of military service?

A: If you are still serving on regular active duty, you must include an original statement of service signed by, or by direction of, the adjutant, personnel officer, or commander of your unit or higher headquarters which identifies you and your social security number, and provides your date of entry on your current active duty period and the duration of any time lost.

If you were discharged from regular active duuty after January 1, 1950 a copy of DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge From Active Dutyshould be included with your VA Form 26-1880. If you were discharged after October 1, 1979, DD Form 214 copy 4 should be included.

If you are still serving on regular active duty, you must include an original statement of service signed by, or by direction of, the adjutant, personnel officer, or commander of your unit or higher headquarters which shows your date of entry on your current active duty period and the duration of any time lost.

If you were discharged from the Selected Reserves or the National Guard, you must include copies of adequate documentation of at least  6 years of honorable service. If you were discharged from the Army or Air Force national Guard, you may sumit NGB Form 22, Report of Separation and Record of Service, or Reserve, you may submit a copy of your latest annual points statement and evidence of honorable service. Unfortunately, there is no single form used bythe Reserves or National Guard similar to the DD Form 214. It is your responsibility to furnish adequate documentation of at least 6 years of honorable service.

If you are still serving in the Selected Reserves or the National Guard, you must include an original statement of service signed by, or by the direction of, the adjutant, personnel officer, or commander of your unit or higher headquarters showing length of time that you have been a member of the Selected Reserves. Again, at least 6 years of honorable service must be documented.

 

If you have any questions about a VA home loan feel free to contact me.

Michelle Guth
Diversified Mortgage Group
Branch Manager/Owner
Direct: 208-475-0865
Loanswithmichelle@gmail.com
ID MBL-5696 / NMLS # 36853 / 36852 / 1850
HTTP://FINDYOUAHOMELOAN.COM

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Boise Idaho VA Home Loan Requirements And Eligibility | Real Estate Industry Blog

Boise Idaho VA Mortgage Requirements And Eligibility

by on March 5, 2012

Boise Idaho Veterans with active duty service (who were not dishonorably discharged) during World War II and later periods are eligible for VA loan benefits. World War II (September 16, 1940 to July 25, 1947), Korean conflict (June 27, 1950 to January 31, 1955), and Vietnam era (August 5, 1964 to May 7, 1975) veterans must have at least 90 days of service.

Veterans and active duty military personnel who served during peacetime must have had more than 180 days of active service. Veterans of enlisted service starting after September 7, 1980, or officers with service beginning after October 16,1981, must in most cases have served at least 2 years.

The VA does not require that you have a certain credit score in order for approval. The actual mortgage lenders, however, are allowed to set their own standards for Boise Idaho VA Home loan requirements.

Changing economic conditions and increased losses due to loan defaults have motivated lenders to limit who they will lend to.

Since early 2010, most VA lenders in the U.S. have tightened their lending and credit score requirements, making home financing harder to come by for those with credit issues or other criteria that makes their loan more risky.

As a result, getting a loan without a down payment is more difficult, though one of the few remaining options for 100% financing is an Boise Idaho VA loan. Major lending groups have generally resolved to set the minimum credit score requirement at 620.

To learn more about this, our article Credit Score Requirements For Boise Idaho VA Mortgages is a great place to start.

There are three specific pieces of documentation a lender will need to determine your eligibility:

  • A DD214 for discharged veterans.
  • A statement of service for active military personnel.
  • A certificate of eligibility (COE) to determine you have VA entitlement.

Because each lender has different qualifying guidelines, the next step is to contact your lender to find out if you meet their Boise Idaho VA loan requirements such as minimum FICO/credit scores, debt-to-income (DTI) ratios, and find out what your county’s maximum loan amount is.

Your Boise Idaho VA lender can help you attain your certificate of eligibility on your behalf.

Lastly, if you have either had a divorce, filed bankruptcy, or had a previous home go into foreclosure, you are not immediately disqualified from a VA loan, although there are some additional restrictions.

You can find more information regarding these topics in our articles titled Divorce And VA Loan Eligibility, Does A Bankruptcy Mean I Can’t Get A VA Loan? and Can I Get A VA Loan If I’ve Had A Recent Foreclosure?

Frequently Asked Idaho VA Loan Questions:

Q: What is a VA Guaranteed Home Loan?

A: VA guaranteed home loans are loans made to eligible veterans for the purchase of a home as their primary residence. The guaranty means the lender is protected against loss if you fail to repay the loan. The guaranty replaces the protection the lender normally receives by requiring a down payment allowing you to obtain favorable financing terms.

Q: Does my entitlement guarantee that I will get a home loan?

A: No VA cannot compel a lender to make a loan that would violate their lender policies.

Q: How much is my entitlement?

A: Your basic entitlement is $36,000. For loans in excess of $144,000 to purchase or construct a home, additional entitlement up to an amount equal to 25 percent of the Idaho VA county loan limit for a single family home may be available .  This means that qualified veterans could get a no down payment purchase loan for those amounts.

Q: How do I apply for a VA guaranteed loan?

A: You can apply for a VA loan with my company who is a mortgage lender that participates in the VA home loan program. At some point you will need to get a Certificate of Eligibility from VA to prove to the lender that you are eligible for a VA loan.

Q: How do I get a Certificate of Eligibility?

A:  Complete a VA Form 26-1880, Request for a Certificate of Eligibility. You can apply for a Certificate of Eligibility by submitting a completed VA Form 26-1880, Request for a Certificate of Eligibility for Home Loan Benefits, to the Winston-Salem Eligibility Center, along with proof of military service.

Q: Can my lender get my Certificate of Eligibility for me?

A: Yes, it’s called Web LGY. Most lenders have access to the Web LGY system. This internet based application can establish eligibility and issue an online Certificate of Eligibility in a matter of seconds. Not all cases can be processed through Web LGY – only those for which VA has sufficient data in our records.

Q: What is acceptable proof of military service?

A: If you are still serving on regular active duty, you must include an original statement of service signed by, or by direction of, the adjutant, personnel officer, or commander of your unit or higher headquarters which identifies you and your social security number, and provides your date of entry on your current active duty period and the duration of any time lost.

If you were discharged from regular active duuty after January 1, 1950 a copy of DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge From Active Dutyshould be included with your VA Form 26-1880. If you were discharged after October 1, 1979, DD Form 214 copy 4 should be included.

If you are still serving on regular active duty, you must include an original statement of service signed by, or by direction of, the adjutant, personnel officer, or commander of your unit or higher headquarters which shows your date of entry on your current active duty period and the duration of any time lost.

If you were discharged from the Selected Reserves or the National Guard, you must include copies of adequate documentation of at least  6 years of honorable service. If you were discharged from the Army or Air Force national Guard, you may sumit NGB Form 22, Report of Separation and Record of Service, or Reserve, you may submit a copy of your latest annual points statement and evidence of honorable service. Unfortunately, there is no single form used bythe Reserves or National Guard similar to the DD Form 214. It is your responsibility to furnish adequate documentation of at least 6 years of honorable service.

If you are still serving in the Selected Reserves or the National Guard, you must include an original statement of service signed by, or by the direction of, the adjutant, personnel officer, or commander of your unit or higher headquarters showing length of time that you have been a member of the Selected Reserves. Again, at least 6 years of honorable service must be documented.

 

If you have any questions about a VA home loan feel free to contact me.

Michelle Guth
Diversified Mortgage Group
Branch Manager/Owner
Direct: 208-475-0865
Loanswithmichelle@gmail.com
ID MBL-5696 / NMLS # 36853 / 36852 / 1850
HTTP://FINDYOUAHOMELOAN.COM

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