There are many factors to consider when applying for a government loan. We will be by your side every step of the way. Below is some helpful information to help get you started. To get started immediately click here for our on-line application.

FHA Mortgage Insurance------------------------------------------------Apply Online
FHA requires a mortgage insurance premium (MIP) for its homebuying programs. An up-front premium of 1.50% of the loan amount is paid at closing and can be financed into the mortgage amount. In addition, there is a monthly MIP amount included in the PITI of .50%. Condos do not require up front MIP - only monthly MIP.

The mortgage insurance premium paid on an FHA loan is always significantly higher than on a conventional program. On an FHA loan the borrower will be charged a mortgage insurance premium equal to 1.50% of the purchase price of the property and a renewal premium of .500% in subsequent years. By contrast the mortgage insurance premium charged at closing on a conventional program is as low as .500% (with 10% down payment) with renewal rate in subsequent years as low as .300% in subsequent years.

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Streamline Refinancing for FHA Mortgages-----------------------Apply Online
FHA has permitted streamline refinances on insured mortgages since the early 1980's. The streamline refers only to the amount of documentation and underwriting that needs to be performed by the mortgage company, and does not mean that there are no costs involved in the transaction.

The basic requirements of a streamline refinance are:

• The mortgage to be refinanced must already be FHA insured.
• The mortgage to be refinanced should be current (not delinquent).
• The refinance is to result in a lowering of the borrower's monthly principal and interest payments.
• No cash may be taken out on mortgages refinanced using the streamline refinance process.

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Down Payment Gifts-----------------------------------------------------------Apply Online
The down payment can be 100% gift funds. This is one of the key benefits to the FHA program.

Verification of the source of gift money is not required. However, it is necessary that the gift funds be deposited in the borrower's bank or savings account, or in an escrow account, prior to underwriting approval. Proof of deposit is required.

Gift donors are restricted primarily to a relative of the borrower. They can also be certain organizations, such as a labor union or charitable organization. Contact your local branch for complete information.

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Bankruptcy and Foreclosure----------------------------------------------Apply Online
A credit report will be obtained on the borrower and any lates, collections, judgments, foreclosures, bankruptcies, etc. must have a justifiable explanation in writing by the borrower.

In the event of a foreclosure, the borrower has three years from the date the claim was paid until he/she is eligible for another FHA loan, unless the foreclosure was the result of extenuating circumstances beyond the borrower's control and the borrower has since established good credit.

Chapter 7 bankruptcies require the borrower to wait at least two years from the date of discharge. Chapter 13 bankruptcies requires the borrower to have been paying on the bankruptcy for at least one year, performance must have been satisfactory and the borrower must also receive court approval to enter into the mortgage transaction.

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Refunds on FHA Loans-------------------------------------------------------Apply Online
If you have ever paid off a home loan backed by FHA, you may have money owed to you. And the government wants to pay you back.

About 1 in 10 FHA borrowers leave money in their escrow accounts when they pay off their loans. The average refund for each borrower is about $700.

Former FHA borrowers who think they might be due a refund can call a toll free number, 800-697-6967, or write HUD at P.O. Box 23669, Washington DC 20026-3699. Or you can look for your name with the HUD Refund Search Form.

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Single Family Mortgage Insurance------------------------------------Apply Online
FHA's mortgage insurance programs help low- and moderate-income families become homeowners by lowering some of the costs of their mortgage loans. FHA mortgage insurance also encourages mortgage companies to make loans to otherwise creditworthy borrowers and projects that might not be able to meet conventional underwriting requirements, by protecting the mortgage company against loan default on mortgages for properties that meet certain minimum requirements--including manufactured homes, single-family and multifamily properties, and some health-related facilities.

Section 203(b) is the centerpiece of FHA's single-family insurance programs. It is the successor of the program that helped save homeowners from default in the 1930s, that helped open the suburbs for returning veterans in the 1940s and 1950s, and that helped shape the modern mortgage finance system. Today, FHA One- to Four-Family Mortgage Insurance is still an important tool through which the Federal Government expands homeownership opportunities for first-time homebuyers and other borrowers who would not otherwise qualify for conventional loans on affordable terms, as well as for those who live in underserved areas where mortgages may be harder to get. In FY 1997, FHA insured more than 790,000 homes, valued at almost $60 billion, under this program. FHA currently insures a total of about 7 million loans valued at nearly $400 billion. These obligations are protected by FHA's Mutual Mortgage Insurance Fund, which is sustained entirely by borrower premiums.

Section 203(b) has several important features:

Down payment requirements can be low. In contrast to conventional mortgage products, which frequently require down payments of 10 percent or more of the purchase price of the home, single-family mortgages insured by FHA under Section 203(b) make it possible to reduce down payments to as little as 3 percent. This is because FHA insurance allows borrowers to finance approximately 97 percent of the value of their home purchase through their mortgage, in some cases.

Many closing costs can be financed. With most conventional loans, the borrower must pay, at the time of purchase, closing costs (the many fees and charges associated with buying a home) equivalent to 2-3 percent of the price of the home. This program allows the borrower to finance many of these charges, thus reducing the up-front cost of buying a home. FHA mortgage insurance is not free: borrowers pay an up-front insurance premium (which may be financed) at the time of purchase, as well as monthly premiums that are not financed, but instead are added to the regular mortgage payment.

Some fees are limited. FHA rules impose limits on some of the fees that mortgage companies may charge in making a loan. For example, the loan origination fee charged by the mortgage company for the administrative cost of processing the loan may not exceed one percent of the amount of the mortgage.

HUD sets limits on the amount that may be insured. To make sure that its programs serve low- and moderate-income people, FHA sets limits on the dollar value of the mortgage loan.

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Single Family Rehab Mortgage Program---------------------------Apply Online
Section 203(k) insurance enables homebuyers and homeowners to finance both the purchase (and refinancing) of a house and the cost of its rehabilitation through a single mortgage-or to finance the rehabilitation of their existing home.

Section 203(k) is one of many FHA programs that insure mortgage loans, and thus encourage mortgage companies to make mortgage credit available to borrowers who would not otherwise qualify for conventional loans on affordable terms (such as first-time homebuyers) and to residents of disadvantaged neighborhoods (where mortgages may be hard to get).

Section 203(k) fills a unique and important need for homebuyers in another way as well. When buying a house that is need of repair or modernization, homebuyers usually have to follow a complicated and costly process, first obtaining financing to purchase the property, then getting additional financing for the rehabilitation work, and finally finding a permanent mortgage after rehabilitation is completed to pay off the interim loans. The interim acquisition and improvement loans often have relatively high interest rates and short repayment terms.

However, Section 203(k) offers a solution that helps both borrowers and mortgage companies, insuring a single, long-term, fixed- or adjustable-rate loan that covers both the acquisition and rehabilitation of a property. Section 203(k) insured loans save borrowers time and money, and also protect mortgage companies by allowing them to have the loan insured even before the condition and value of the property may offer adequate security. Insurance commitments for 17,000 homes were made in FY 1996; the estimated number of homes to be insured under Section 203(k) for FY 1997 is 19,000, and 15,000 for FY 1998. For housing rehabilitation activities that do not also require buying or refinancing the property, borrowers may also consider HUD's Title I Home Improvement Loan program.

The extent of the rehabilitation covered by Section 203(k) insurance may range from relatively minor (though exceeding $5000 in cost) to virtual reconstruction: a home that has been demolished or will be razed as part of rehabilitation is eligible, for example, provided that the existing foundation system remains in place. Section 203(k)-insured loans can finance the rehabilitation of the residential portion of a property that also has non-residential uses; they can also cover the conversion of a property of any size to a one- to four-unit structure. The types of improvements that borrowers may make using Section 203(k) financing include:

• structural alterations and reconstruction.
• modernization and improvements to the home's function.
• elimination of health and safety hazards.
• changes that improve appearance and eliminate obsolescence.
• reconditioning or replacing plumbing; installing a well and/or septic system.
• adding or replacing roofing, gutters, and downspouts.
• adding or replacing floors and/or floor treatments.
• major landscape work and site improvements.
• enhancing accessibility for a disabled person.
• making energy conservation improvements.

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Property Improvement Loan Insurance (Title I)------------------Apply Online
The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) makes it easier for consumers to obtain affordable home improvement loans by insuring loans made by private lenders to improve properties that meet certain requirements. This is one of HUD's most frequently used loan insurance products. By the end of fiscal year (FY) 1996, it had insured almost 35 million loans totaling $43.6 billion.

The Title I program insures loans to finance the light or moderate rehabilitation of properties, as well as the construction of non-residential buildings on the property. This program may be used to insure such loans for up to 20 years on either single- or multi-family properties. The maximum loan amount is $25,000 for improving a single-family home or for improving or building a non-residential structure.

For improving a multi-family structure, the maximum loan amount is $12,000 per family unit, not to exceed a total of $60,000 for the structure. These are fixed rate loans, for which lenders charge interest at market rates. The interest rates are not subsidized by HUD, although some communities participate in local housing rehabilitation programs that provide reduced rate property improvement loans through Title I lenders.

Only lenders approved by HUD specifically for this program can make loans covered by Title I insurance. While most lenders and contractors use this program responsibly, HUD urges consumers to use caution in choosing and supervising home repair contractors conducting Title I repair/renovation work. A recent HUD review of Title I uncovered many instances of "unscrupulous contractors performing shoddy work, falsifying documents, overcharging homeowners, and using deceptive advertising." HUD encourages homeowners to work directly with their lender in selecting a home repair contractor in order to prevent inflated estimates.

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Energy Efficient Mortgages-------------------------------------------------Apply Online
What is the purpose of this program?
Provides mortgage insurance for a person to purchase or refinance a principal residence and incorporate the cost of energy efficient improvements into the mortgage. A lending institution, such as a mortgage company, bank, savings and loan association, funds the mortgage loan and HUD insures the mortgage.

What are the eligibility requirements?

• Borrowers are eligible for approximately 97% financing. Borrowers are able to finance closing costs and the up front mortgage insurance premium into the mortgage. Borrowers are also responsible for paying an annual premium.
• Eligible properties are one to two existing units and new construction.
• The cost of the energy efficient improvements that may be eligible for financing into the mortgage is the greater of 5% percent of the property's value (not to exceed $8,000) or $4,000.
• To be eligible for inclusion in the mortgage, the energy efficient improvements must be cost effective, meaning that the total cost of the improvements is less than the total present value of the energy saved over the useful life of the energy improvement.
• The cost of the energy improvements and estimate of the energy savings must be determined by a home energy rating system (HERS) or energy consultant. Up to $200 of the cost of the energy inspection report may be included in the mortgage.

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HUD Reverse Mortgage Program----------------------------------------Apply Online
Homeowners 62 and older who have paid off their mortgages or have only small mortgage balances remaining are eligible to participate in HUD's reverse mortgage program. The program allows homeowners to borrow against the equity in their homes.

Homeowners can receive payments in a lump sum, on a monthly basis (for a fixed term or for as long as they live in the home), or on an occasional basis as a line of credit. Homeowners whose circumstances change can restructure their payment options.

Unlike ordinary home equity loans, a HUD reverse mortgage does not require repayment as long as the borrower lives in the home. Mortgage companies recover their principal, plus interest, when the home is sold. The remaining value of the home goes to the homeowner or to his or her survivors. If the sales proceeds are insufficient to pay the amount owed, HUD will pay the company the amount of the shortfall. The Federal Housing Administration, which is part of HUD, collects an insurance premium from all borrowers to provide this coverage.

The size of reverse mortgage loans is determined by the borrower's age, the interest rate, and the home's value. The older a borrower, the larger the percentage of the home's value that can be borrowed.

For example, based on a loan at an interest rate of 9 percent, a 65-year-old could borrow up to 26 percent of the home's value, a 75-year-old could borrow up to 39 percent of the home's value, and an 85-year-old could borrow up to 56 percent of the home's value.

There are no asset or income limitations on borrowers receiving HUD's reverse mortgages.

There are also no limits on the value of homes qualifying for a HUD reverse mortgage. However, the amount that may be borrowed is capped by the maximum FHA mortgage limit for the area, which varies from $81,548 to $160,950, depending on local housing costs. As a result, owners of higher-priced homes can't borrow any more than owners of homes valued at the FHA limit.

HUD's reverse mortgage program collects funds from insurance premiums charged to borrowers. Senior citizens are charged 2 percent of the home's value as an up-front payment plus one-half percent on the loan balance each year. These amounts are usually paid by the mortgage company and charged to the borrower's principal balance.

FHA's reverse mortgage insurance makes HUD's program less expensive to borrowers than the smaller reverse mortgage programs run by private companies without FHA insurance.

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1. Apply for a Certificate of Eligibility.
   A veteran who doesn't have a certificate can obtain one easily by completing VA Form 26-1880, Request for a Certificate of Eligibility for VA Home Loan Benefits and submitting it to one of the Eligibility Centers with copies of your most recent discharge or separation papers covering active military duty since September 16, 1940, which show active duty dates and type of discharge.
2. Decide on a home the buyer wants to buy and sign a purchase agreement
3. Order an appraisal from VA. (Usually the lender does this.) Most VA regional offices offer a "speed-up" telephone appraisal system. Call the local VA office for details.
4. Apply to a mortgage lender for the loan. While the appraisal is being done, the lender (mortgage company, savings and loan, bank, etc.) can be gathering credit and income information. If the lender is authorized by VA to do automatic processing, upon receipt of the VA or LAPP appraised value determination, the loan can be approved and closed without waiting for VA's review of the credit application. For loans that must first be approved by VA, the lender will send the application to the local VA office, which will notify the lender of its decision.
5. Close the loan and the buyer moves in.

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Who is Eligible for a VA Loan?---------------------------------------Apply Online
Veterans who served on active duty and were discharged under conditions other than dishonorable, 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' service. Veterans with service only during peacetime periods and active duty military personnel must have had more than 180 days' active service. Veterans of enlisted service, which began after September 7, 1980, or officers with service beginning after October 16, 1981, must in most cases have served at least 2 years.

Persian Gulf Conflict. Basically, reservists and National Guard members who were activated on or after August 2, 1990, served at least 90 days and were discharged honorably are eligible. VA regional office personnel may assist with eligibility questions.

Members of the Selected Reserve, including National Guard, who are not otherwise eligible and who have completed 6 years of service and have been honorably discharged or have completed 6 years of service and are still serving may be eligible. The expanded eligibility for Reserves and National Guard individuals will expire September 30, 2003. Contact the local VA office to find out what is needed to establish eligibility. Reservists will pay a slightly higher funding fee than regular veterans.

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VA Loan Eligibility-----------------------------------------------------------Apply Online
Question: How do I apply for a VA guaranteed loan?
Answer: You can apply for a VA loan at any mortgage company 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 mortgage company that you are eligible for a VA loan.

Question: How do I get a Certificate of Eligibility?
Answer: To get a Certificate of Eligibility, you need to submit form 26-1880, Request for Determination of Eligibility and Available Loan Guaranty Entitlement. A copy of the form can be obtained by calling 800-827-1000. Send it to any VA Regional Office. You must include a copy of your DD214 with the form 26-1880. If you are on active duty, you must submit a statement of service signed by, or by direction of, the adjutant, personnel officer, or commander of your unit or higher headquarters showing date of entry on your current active duty period and the duration of any time lost.

Question: I have already received one VA loan. Can I get another one?
Answer: Yes, depending on the circumstances. If you have paid off your prior VA loan and disposed of the property, you can have your entitlement restored for additional use. To obtain restoration of entitlement, you must send VA a completed VA Form 26-1880, along with evidence that the property has been disposed of and the loan repaid in full. This evidence can be in the form of a pay-off statement from the former mortgage company, or a copy of the HUD-1 settlement statement completed in connection with the sale of the property. The application can be presented to any VA Regional Office. A veteran can also obtain restoration of entitlement, on a one-time basis, if the prior VA loan has been paid in full but the property has not been sold.

Question: I have sold the property I obtained with my prior VA loan on an assumption. Why can't I get my entitlement restored to purchase a new home?
Answer: In this case the entitlement can be restored only if the assumer is also an eligible veteran who is willing to substitute his or her entitlement for that of your original entitlement. Otherwise, you cannot have entitlement restored until the assumer has paid off the VA loan.

Question: My prior VA loan was assumed, the assumer defaulted on the loan, and VA paid a claim to the mortgage company. VA said it wasn't my fault and waived the debt. Now I need a new VA loan but am told that I am not eligible. Why not? Or my prior loan was foreclosed on, or I gave a Deed in Lieu of Foreclosure, or VA paid a compromise claim. I was released from liability on the loan and/or the debt was waived. Can I get another VA loan?
Answer: Although VA waived the debt; the Government has still suffered a loss on the loan. The law does not permit the your entitlement to be restored until the loss has been repaid in full.

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1. Before arranging for a new mortgage to finance a home purchase, veterans should consider some of the advantages of VA home loans Most important consideration, no down payment is required in most cases. Loan maximum may be up to 100 percent of the VA-established reasonable value of the property. Due to secondary market requirements, however, loans generally may not exceed $203,000. Flexibility of negotiating interest rates with the lender. No monthly mortgage insurance premium to pay. Limitation on buyer's closing costs. An appraisal, which informs the buyer of property value. Thirty year loans with a choice of repayment plans:
   1. Traditional fixed payment (constant principal and interest; increases or decreases may be expected in property taxes and homeowner's insurance coverage); Graduated Payment Mortgage--GPM (low initial payments which gradually rise to a level payment starting in the sixth year); and
   2. In some areas, Growing Equity Mortgages-Gems (gradually increasing payments with all of the increase applied to principal, resulting in an early payoff of the loan).
   For most loans for new houses, construction is inspected at appropriate stages to ensure compliance with the approved plans, and a 1-year warranty is required from the builder that the house is built in conformity with the approved plans and specifications. In those cases where the builder provides an acceptable 10-year warranty plan, only a final inspection may be required. An assumable mortgage, subject to VA approval of the assumer's credit. Right to prepay loan without penalty.
2. VA performs personal loan servicing and offers financial counseling to help veterans avoid losing their homes during temporary financial difficulties.

1. To buy a home, including townhouse or condominium unit in a VA-approved project.
2. To build a home.
3. To simultaneously purchase and improve a home.
4. To improve a home by installing energy-related features such as solar or heating/cooling systems, water heaters, insulation, weather-stripping/ caulking, storm windows/doors or other energy efficient improvements approved by the lender and VA. These features may be added with the purchase of an existing dwelling or by refinancing a home owned and occupied by the veteran. A loan can be increased up to $3,000 based on documented costs or up to $6,000 if the increase in the mortgage payment is offset by the expected reduction in utility costs. A refinancing loan may not exceed 90 percent of the appraised value plus the costs of the improvements. Check with a lender or VA for details.
5. To refinance an existing home loan up to 90 percent of the VA-established reasonable value or to refinance an existing VA loan to reduce the interest rate.
6. To buy a manufactured home and/or lot.

Obtaining a VA Loan----------------------------------------------------------Apply Online
VA Appraisal- Certificate of Reasonable Value
The CRV (certificate of reasonable value) is based on an appraiser's estimate of the value of the property to be purchased. Because the loan amount may not exceed the CRV, the first step in getting a VA loan is usually to request an appraisal. Anyone (buyer, seller, real estate personnel or lender) can request a VA appraisal by completing VA Form 26-1805, Request for Determination of Reasonable Value. After completing the form, it can either be mailed to the Loan Guaranty Division at the nearest VA office for processing or an appraisal can be requested by telephoning the Loan Guaranty Division for assignment of an appraiser. The local VA office may be contacted for information concerning its assignment procedures. The appraiser will send a bill for his or her services to the requester according to a fee schedule approved by VA. To simplify things, VA and HUD/FHA (Department of Housing and Urban Development/Federal Housing Administration) use the same appraisal forms. Also, if the property was recently appraised under the HUD procedure, under certain limited circumstances, the HUD conditional commitment can be converted to a VA CRV. The local VA office can explain how this is done.

It is important to recognize that while the VA appraisal estimates the value of the property, it is not an inspection and does not guarantee that the house is free of defects. Homebuyers should be encouraged to carefully inspect the property themselves, or to hire a reputable inspection firm to help in this area. VA guarantees the loan, not the condition of the property.

Application
The application process for VA financing is no different from any other type of loan. In fact, the VA application form is the same as that used for HUD/FHA and conventional loans. The mortgage lender verifies the applicant's income and assets, and obtains a credit report to see that other obligations are being paid on time. If all is well and the appraised value of the property is enough to cover the loan needed, the lender, in most instances, can then close the loan under VA's automatic procedure. Only about 10 percent of VA loan applications have to be submitted to a VA office for approval before closing.

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VA Loan Costs--------------------------------------------------------------------Apply Online
A basic funding fee of 2.0 percent must be paid to VA by all but certain exempt veterans. A down payment of 5 percent or more will reduce the fee to 1.5 percent and a 10 percent down payment will reduce it to 1.25 percent.

All eligible Reserve/National Guard individuals must pay a funding fee of 2.75 percent. A down payment of 5 percent or more will reduce the fee to 2.25 percent and a 10 percent down payment will reduce it to 2.0 percent.

The funding fee for loans to refinance an existing VA home loan with a new VA home loan to lower the existing interest rate is 0.5 percent.

Veterans who are using entitlement for a second or subsequent time who do not make a down payment of at least 5 percent are charged a funding fee of 3 percent.

NOTE: For all VA home loans, the funding fee may be paid in cash or it may be included in the loan.

In addition, the mortgage company may charge reasonable closing costs. These costs may not be included in the loan. The following items may be paid by the veteran purchaser, the seller, or shared. Closing costs may vary among companies and also throughout the nation because of differing local laws and customs.

VA loan costs may include VA appraisal, credit report, loan origination fee (usually 1 percent of the loan), discount points, title search and title insurance, recording fees, state and/or local transfer taxes, if applicable, survey.

No commissions, brokerage fees or "buyer broker" fees may be charged to the veteran buyer.

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Restoration of VA Loan Entitlement-----------------------------------Apply Online
Veterans who had a VA loan before May still have "remaining entitlement" to use for another VA loan. The current amount of entitlement available to each eligible veteran is $36,000. This was much lower in years past and has been increased over time by changes in the law. For example, a veteran who obtained a $25,000 loan in 1974 would have used $12,500 guaranty entitlement, the maximum then available. Even if that loan is not paid off, the veteran could use the $23,500 difference between the $12,500 entitlement originally used and the current maximum of $36,000 to buy another home with VA financing. An additional $14,750, up to a maximum entitlement of $50,750 is available for loans above $144,000 to purchase or construct a home.

Most mortgage companies require that a combination of the guaranty entitlement and any cash down payment must equal at least 25 percent of the reasonable value or sales price of the property, whichever is less. Thus, in the example, the veteran's $23,500 remaining entitlement would probably meet a mortgage company's minimum guaranty requirement for a no down payment loan to buy a property valued at and selling for $94,000. The veteran could also combine a down payment with the remaining entitlement for a larger loan amount.

Veterans can have previously-used entitlement "restored" to purchase another home with a VA loan if: The property purchased with the prior VA loan has been sold and the loan paid in full, or a qualified veteran-transferee (buyer) agrees to assume the VA loan and substitute his or her entitlement for the same amount of entitlement originally used by the veteran seller.

Remaining entitlement and restoration of entitlement can be requested through the nearest VA office by completing VA Form 26-1880. The entitlement may also be restored one time only if the veteran has repaid the prior VA loan in full but has not disposed of the property purchased with the prior VA loan.

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VA Loan Questions and Answers----------------------------------------Apply Online
Question: Can I get a VA loan if I have had a bankruptcy in the last few years?
Answer: VA credit standards state that a veteran with a bankruptcy less than 3 years ago would generally not be considered a satisfactory credit risk unless: the veteran or spouse has obtained items on credit since the bankruptcy and has paid the obligations in a satisfactory manner for a continued period; and the bankruptcy was caused by circumstances beyond the control of the borrower, which would have to be verified. A bankruptcy discharged 3 to 5 years ago must be given some consideration in the underwriting of the loan. A bankruptcy discharged more than 5 years ago may be disregarded. These are the minimum standards that mortgage companies must follow when making a VA loan. In 95% of the cases, companies make the decision to approve a loan without VA's prior approval. Keep in mind that mortgage companies also have money at risk in giving you a VA loan, so they may have stricter credit standards than those mandated by VA.

Question: How big of a loan can I get? If my guaranty entitlement is $36,000, does this mean I am limited to a $36,000 loan?
Answer: There is no limit on the size of a VA guaranteed home loan, provided that the veteran is qualified for the loan from a credit and income standpoint. However, as a practical matter, companies will generally limit the maximum loan amount to 4 times the amount of the veteran's available entitlement plus any down payment. Currently, the maximum entitlement on loans above $144,000 is $50,750, which will support a no down payment loan of up to $203,000.

Question: Why do I have to pay a fee for a VA home loan? Since I paid a fee for my first loan, why is there a larger fee for my second loan?
Answer: law requires The VA funding fee. The fee, currently 2 percent on no down payment loans, 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 percent. 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. Second time users who make a down payment of at least 5 percent pay a reduced funding fee of 1.5 percent, the same as first time users making the same down payment. For a 10 percent down payment, the fee drops to 1.25 percent. The effect of the funding fee on a veteran's financial situation is minimized since the fee may be financed in the loan.

Question: May a veteran join with a non-veteran who is not his or her spouse in obtaining a VA loan?
Answer: Yes, but the guaranty is based only on the veteran's portion of the loan. The guaranty cannot cover the non-veteran's part of the loan. Consult mortgage companies to determine whether they would be willing to accept applications for joint loans of this type. Mortgage companies that are willing to make these types of loans will likely require a down payment to cover risk on the unguaranteed, non-veteran's portion of the loan. Unlike other loans, the mortgage company must submit joint loans to VA for approval before they are made. Both incomes can be used to qualify for the loan. However, the veteran's income must be sufficient to repay at least that portion of the loan related to the veteran's interest in (portion of) the property and the non-veteran's income adequate to cover the rest.

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