VA Loans Insider
VA loan expert Chris Birk brings you the latest news and tips about your VA loan benefit
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How VA Loans Work: What Most Borrowers Don’t Know About VA LoansA VA loan is a mortgage option issued by private lenders and partially backed, or guaranteed, by the Department of Veterans Affairs. Here we look at how VA loans work and what most borrowers don’t know about the program.
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The Complete Guide to VA Loan Co-Borrowers, Co-Signers and Joint VA LoansVA loans allow Veterans to have a co-borrower on the loan. Here we break down co-borrower requirements and provide common scenarios around co-borrowing and joint VA loans.
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VA Loans and PMI: Breaking Down Mortgage Insurance and VA LoansMortgages typically have some form of mortgage insurance. Conventional loans have private mortgage insurance (PMI), FHA loans have a mortgage insurance premium (MIP) and even USDA loans have an ongoing fee. Here we look at the VA's mortgage insurance requirements - or lack thereof.
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VA Loan Residual Income Charts and RequirementsThe VA provides guidelines for residual income to ensure Veterans can afford daily living expenses. We take a deep dive here into residual income requirements and what to expect in this part of the loan process.
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VA Loans for Bad Credit: Everything Veterans Need to KnowSecuring a VA loan with bad credit isn't impossible, but it is common for many lenders to have a more stringent credit requirements.
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30 Must-Read VA Loan Tips and FAQs for HomebuyersUsing your VA loan benefits to purchase a home is exciting, but if you are new to the process you may need some pointers along the way. Below we compiled the top questions and tips for Veterans looking to use their VA loan benefit.
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A Military Spouse's Guide to VA LoansMilitary spouses often play key roles in the homebuying process. Here we take a deep dive into what spouses can expect and how to be better prepared for your homebuying journey.
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VA Loans for Surviving SpousesSurviving spouses of Veterans and service members can be eligible for a VA loan of their own. Here, we dive into the process and requirements for surviving spouses to obtain a VA loan. We’ll take a closer look at eligibility for surviving spouses, what it takes to get a Certificate of Eligibility, closing cost benefits and more.
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Comparing VA Loans to Conventional Loans
Here we compare the primary differences between VA and conventional loans to show you when each option may be the best.
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A Closer Look at VA Adjustable-Rate Mortgages (ARMs)VA adjustable-rate mortgages (ARMs) haven't seen much demand in recent years. However, rising interest rates have homebuyers searching for VA ARMs again.
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Nearly 80 Years Later, GI Bill Helps Shrink Homeownership Gap for Veterans and Service Members
The VA loan program is living up to its original promise by helping narrow the homeownership gap for female Veteran and Veterans of color.
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How to Make Cash Offer Programs Like Ribbon Work for VA Loans
Some Veterans are turning to cash offer services like Ribbon and Homeward in the face of rising home prices. But these companies can charge fees that VA homebuyers cannot pay. Here's a look at how to make these deals work.
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Can You Have Two VA Loans? Breaking Down Second-Tier Entitlement and Multiple VA LoansVA loan entitlement can be a tricky subject. Here we breakdown second-tier entitlement and what to expect when reusing your VA loan benefits.
