{"body":"<p>Loans guaranteed by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) are made by lenders to eligible veterans to aid in the process of buying a home.</p><h2>The VA Difference</h2><p>For traditional loans, providing a down payment of less than 20% usually results in the need for private mortgage insurance (PMI). One of the primary benefits of the VA loan is that the borrower doesn't pay PMI, making your monthly payments more affordable.</p><h2>Eligibility</h2><p>The following are eligible for a VA loan:</p><ul><li>Active veterans</li><li>Discharged veterans</li><li>Medically discharged veterans</li></ul><h2>Down Payment</h2><p>In most cases, no down payment is required and the borrower usually receives a lower interest rate than what\u2019s usually available with other loan programs. Although mortgage insurance is not required, VA charges an upfront funding fee to issue the guarantee. This fee is typically financed into the loan amount, but may also be paid in cash by the buyer or seller. A veteran may also be exempt from this funding fee if they are disabled due to a service-related injury.</p><h2>Additional Advantages</h2><p>VA home loans hold many advantages for the eligible homebuyer. Along with no mortgage insurance required, VA-guaranteed loans have no prepayment penalties and provide counseling and assistance to veteran borrowers having financial difficulty or facing default on their loan.</p><p>Here is the program at-a-glance:</p><ul><li>No down payment</li><li>Gifts are allowed</li><li>Flexible credit requirements</li><li>Low to no monthly mortgage insurance<br>&nbsp;</li></ul><h2>VA Energy-Efficient Mortgage</h2><p>A VA loan can be used to buy a home, refinance an existing loan or build a new home. It can also be used to improve an existing home with energy-saving 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 VA and the lender. The energy-saving features include:</p><ul><li>New windows (or other energy-efficient upgrades)</li><li>No upfront costs (costs can be rolled into the total loan amount)</li><li>Up to $6,000 in upgrades</li></ul><p>&nbsp;</p><p>With eligibility, VA home loans provide an integral step in the direction for you and your family\u2019s future success in buying a home. If you are ready to start the homebuying process, our team of loan officers at Flat Branch Home Loans is ready to begin the journey of purchasing your dream home.</p>","category":"Purchase","featured_image":"https://cdn.fbhl.com/programs/va-loans-featured-image.jpg","featured_video":null,"id":"695c35859124aff4f43368c5","name":"VA Loans","slug":"va-loans","status":true,"teaser":"I would like to use my veteran benefits."}