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Veterans Administration Military Home Loans in 2018

Veterans Administration Military Home Loans in 2018

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Military Home Loans

The year 2018 means favorable changes to the rules on VA military home loans. Before describing what they are and what they mean to you, make sure you understand what a military home loan is.

Image depicting family obtaining a VA military home loanA military home loan, also known as a VA home loan, is a very popular military benefit. A VA home loan is a home mortgage loan that is guaranteed by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). The loan is typically issued by qualified lenders.

The VA loan provides long-term financing to eligible American veterans or their surviving spouses. An eligible veteran can purchase properties with no down payment, no mortgage insurance, less closing costs, at a great interest rate, and under lenient credit guidelines, and many other benefits that make this program a great way to finance a home purchase.

These loans first became available under the Servicemen’s Readjustment Act, passed by the United States Congress in 1944. Under the law and its subsequent amendments, the VA may guarantee or insure home, farm, and business loans made to veterans by lending institutions. Under this authority, the VA has insured millions of loans and mobile homes.

Could You Be Eligible for a VA Loan?

Family in front of new home after receiving a VA military home loanUntil 1992, the VA loan guarantee program was available only to veterans who served on active duty during specified periods. However, the program eligibility expanded in 1992 with the enactment of the Veterans Home Loan Program Amendments of 1992 (Public Law 102-547, approved 28 October 1992). It now includes Reservists and National Guard personnel who served honorably for at least six years without otherwise qualifying under the previous active duty provisions. These individuals must pay a slightly higher funding fee than veterans when obtaining a VA home loan.

Veterans, active duty, guard or reserve, and military spouses potentially qualify for a VA home loan. The first step in obtaining a VA home loan is to apply for a VA Home Loan Certificate of Eligibility from the VA and provide proof of your military service.

The eligibility criteria are set by Congress. Here is a brief summary of eight common categories of individuals who may qualify for a Certificate of Eligibility:

1. Wartime

Veterans who served in:

  • WWII: 9/16/1940 to 7/25/1947
  • Korean: 6/27/1950 to 1/31/1955
  • Vietnam: 8/5/1964 to 5/7/1975

You must have at least 90 days on active duty and been discharged under other than dishonorable conditions. If you served less than 90 days, you may be eligible if discharged for a service connected disability.

2. Peacetime

If you served during the following periods:

  • 7/26/1947 to 6/26/1950
  • 2/1/1955 to 8/4/1964
  • 5/8/1975 to 9/7/1980 (Enlisted)
  • 5/8/1975 to 10/16/1981 (Officer)

You must have served at least 181 days of continuous active duty and been discharged under other than dishonorable conditions. If you served less than 181 days, you may be eligible if discharged for a service connected disability.

3. Service after 9/7/1980 (enlisted) or 10/16/1981 (officer)

If you were separated from service which began after these dates, you must have:

  • Completed 24 months of continuous active duty or the full period (at least 181 days) for which you were ordered or called to active duty and been discharged under conditions other than dishonorable, or
  • Completed at least 181 days of active duty and been discharged under the specific authority of 10 USC 1173 (Hardship), or 10 USC 1171 (Early Out), or have been determined to have a compensable service-connected disability;
  • Been discharged with less than 181 days of service for a service-connected disability. Individuals may also be eligible if they were released from active duty due to an involuntary reduction in force, certain medical conditions, or, in some instances for the convenience of the Government.

4. Gulf War – Service during period 8/2/1990 to date yet to be determined

If you served on active duty during the Gulf War, you must have:

  • Completed 24 months of continuous active duty or the full period (at least 90 days) for which you were called or ordered to active duty, and been discharged under conditions other than dishonorable, or
  • Completed at least 90 days of active duty and been discharged under the specific authority of 10 USC 1173 (Hardship), or 10 USC 1173 (Early Out), or have been determined to have a compensable service-connected disability, or
  • Been discharged with less than 90 days of service for a service-connected disability. Individuals may also be eligible if they were released from active duty due to an involuntary reduction in force, certain medical conditions, or, in some instances, for the convenience of the Government.

5. Active Duty Service Personnel

If you are now on regular duty (not active duty for training), you are eligible after having served 181 days (90 days during the Gulf War) unless discharged or separated from a previous qualifying period of active duty service.

6. Selected Reserves or National Guard

If you are not otherwise eligible and you have completed a total of 6 years in the Selected Reserves or National Guard (member of an active unit, attended required weekend drills and 2-week active duty for training) and

  • Were discharged with an honorable discharge, or
  • Were placed on the retired list, or
  • Were transferred to the Standby Reserve or an element of the Ready Reserve other than the Selected Reserve after service characterized as honorable service, or
  • Continue to serve in the Selected Reserves

Individuals who completed less than 6 years may be eligible if discharged for a service-connected disability.

7. Military Spouse

You may also be determined eligible if you:

  • Are an unremarried spouse of a veteran who died while in service or from a service connected disability, or
  • Are a spouse of a serviceperson missing in action or a prisoner of war.

If you remarry after a certain age, you may still be eligible for the benefits.

8. Other

Other personnel may be eligible for a VA home loan as well, such as:

  • Certain United States citizens who served in the armed forces of a government allied with the United States in WWII.
  • Individuals with service as members in certain organizations, such as Public Health Service officers, cadets at the United States Military, Air Force, or Coast Guard Academy, midshipmen at the United States Naval Academy, officers of National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration, merchant seaman with WWII service, and others.

For help with your eligibility and loan qualification, consult one of the many VA loan mortgage brokers at Fairfax Mortgage right away. Our mortgage brokers can obtain your VA Certificate of Eligibility for you online and work with you to maximize your VA loan benefits.

Important Military Home Loan Benefits in 2018

Couple reading about important military home loan benefits in 2018If you are eligible for a VA home loan, your loan benefits just got better. The VA loan guaranty for loans closed after January 1, 2018 is 25% of loans up to $453,100 on average. This loan maximum is up from $424,100 in 2017. However, most northern Virginia counties are considered high cost areas. The maximum guaranty for a VA home loan in our area is 25% on loans up to $679,650.

Act Quickly to Lock in Lower Interest Rates

Although interest rates are still historically low, they will likely begin to rise along with an improving economy this year. If you act soon, you might be able to lock in today’s rate levels for thirty years. Why not try to secure a 2017 VA interest rate for as long as you keep your mortgage.

Take advantage of your VA loan benefit, and call one of our VA home loan mortgage brokers at Fairfax Mortgage to see what your benefit may mean for you.