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In a Nutshell
pros
- Tremendous resource for VA loan info
- Online comparison and other useful tools
- Easy online prequalification
cons
- Charges several fees
- Not available in all states
VALoans.com at a Glance
| Direct lender or marketplace | Direct lender |
| Loan Types | Purchase and refinance |
| Featured Loans | Jumbo, Fixed, Adjustable, FHA, VA, USDA |
| Repayment Terms | 15-30 years |
| Minimum Down Payment | Generally $0 |
| Minimum Credit Score | 620 |
| Best For | Veterans and their families |
Overview
Aside from being a competitively rated lender, VALoans.com is easily the most informative site for veterans on the web. It has the widest database of information pertaining to VA loans, it’s well organized, and VALoans.com delivers a genuinely helpful free service to people looking into VA loans.
VALoans.com primarily offers VA loans, but that’s not all. You can apply for FHA, USDA, and even conventional loans through this reputable lender, as well.
Best For?
VALoans.com is the go-to resource for veterans looking to finance a new home purchase or refinance an old home. It is also a good way to see if you qualify for a VA loan with a $0 down payment instantly with its online prequalification process. VALoans.com is best suited for veterans who qualify for a VA loan. This includes:
- Army
- Navy
- Coast Guard
- Marine Corps
- Air Force
- Military spouses
- Certain individuals with no military experience
Types of Loans/Products
VALoans.com offers a range of loan products, though the VA loans are the most prevalent. You can get conventional fixed or variable rate loans from VALoans.com, as well as FHA or USDA loans depending on your eligibility status. The lender even offers jumbo loans up to $1.5 million.VALoans.com offers a unique energy-efficiency mortgage loan to veterans as well.
- Credit score: minimum 620
- Down payments: $0
- Repayment: 15-30 years
- Eligibility: Veterans and spouses
The Application Process
Since VALoans.com is not a direct lender, when you apply with this service, you aren’t applying for an actual loan. You will find out, however, if you can prequalify for a loan directly through Veterans United Home Loans. To begin with, you’ll answer a few basic questions like:
- Zip code
- Price range of the home you're interested in buying or refinancing
- Type of property (single-family home, mobile, new construction, etc.)
- Usage for this home (primary residence, investment, etc.)
- Timeframe you’re dealing with
- What your credit score is
VALoans.com will also ask you about your employment status. From there, you can either wait for a representative to get in touch with you or continue the process online. If you choose the latter, you will require a few things to keep going for pre-approval, including:
- 2 years of address and employment records
- Monthly income
- Financial account balances
- Family size and marital status
- Any current mortgage information
- Military history
- DOB and Social Security number for you and your co-borrower
Rates and Fees – The Bare Basics
In terms of the services provided, VALoans.com offers a tremendous amount of free information. The APR you will receive for your final loan will vary depending on your credit score, the national average, location of the home you’re buying, etc.
Some closing costs may be charged when the loan is finalized. These costs are sometimes paid for by the seller, but other times, the veteran will be required to pay closing costs that may include:
- Loan origination fee (generally 1% of the loan)
- Title search and title insurance
- Recording fees
- State and/or local taxes
- Brokerage fees
- Inspection fees
- Funding fee
The positive news is that with a VA loan, there are several fees that a lender cannot charge a veteran buyer, including:
- Interest rate lock-in fees
- Document preparation fees
- Settlement fees
- Postage and mailing charges
- Amortization schedules
- Escrow fees
- Notary fees
Repayment Terms
VALoans.com offers a wide range of repayment terms. You can get terms including 15, 20, 25, and 30-year mortgages.
Help & Support
VALoans.com offers email support to customers and consumers alike. Customer support reps can be reached at assistance@VALoans.com or via telephone at 1-800-884-5560. You can also browse through the FAQ section on the site. But really, the entire VALoans.com website is a fountain of knowledge with tons of incredibly useful articles. So, you can get a boatload of information without even speaking to a representative.
What’s more, VALoans.com offers a Lighthouse Program. This is a free counseling service that helps borrowers improve their credit score, so they can get a loan.
How VALoans.com Compares
| VALoans.com | LowRates | On Q | |
| Credit requirements | 620+ | 620 | 580 |
| Minimum down payment | 0% | From 0% | Usually 3%, but zero-down options are available |
| DTI ratio | 41% (residual income calculated) | 43% | N/A |
| Fees | Funding fee, origination, closing costs | Origination, closing | Origination |
| Repayment terms | 15-30 years | 10, 15, and 30-year fixed | 10, 15, 20, 25, 30 years |
| APR | From 2.94% | From 3.365% | N/A |
Summary
VALoans.com is the largest VA loan provider in the country. It offers affordable rates for veterans and their spouses to refinance a home or purchase a new one. VALoans.com also has a tremendous amount of information that it makes available to borrowers going through the mortgage borrowing process. Beyond that,VALoans.com has a private counseling service that helps poor credit borrowers improve their score and increase their eligibility rankings.
FAQs
Q: What is a loan limit for VA loans?
A: A loan limit is the highest amount that an eligible borrower can take out for a VA loan before they have to pay a down payment. Many veterans can qualify for unlimited VA loans. However, there are some veterans that have diminished entitlement, in which case they will have a limit on the amount they are entitled to take out before a down payment is required. With diminished entitlement, the loan limits range from $510,400-$765,600, depending on the county in which you live.
Q: What is a hard inquiry, and can it hurt my credit score?
A: A hard inquiry is when a lender pulls your credit report and score. This is done so the lender can see what kind of credit you have and if you are a worthwhile risk for the lender to lend money to (i.e., if you're likely to repay the loan). Hard credit pulls will bump your credit score down a few points. But since everyone does this when shopping around for a loan, it's a normal part of the process, and your score will return to normal within a short time. If you're looking into multiple lenders, it's a good idea to apply to all of them at the same time. This is because credit bureaus view multiple inquiries within a 30-45 day range as one inquiry and only subtract points from your score once.
Q: What is a DTI?
A: Your DTI is your debt to income ratio. This is the amount of debt you have compared to the amount of money you make (your income). DTI is one factor that lenders use to determine your eligibility for a loan.
Q: What can I use my VA loan money for?
A: VA loans can be used to buy any type of home that is VA-approved (townhouse, condominium, single-family home). You can also use the loan to make improvements on a current home, install energy-efficient appliances, or refinance a home.
Physical Address
1400 Veterans United Dr.
Columbia, MO 65203
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