Idaho VA Home loans allow you to refinance your home to take advantage of lower interest rates that can ultimately save you sizable sums of money in both the long-run and the short-run by lowering your monthly payment.

 

If you currently have a Idaho conventional loan, you can refinance into an Idaho VA Home loan if you are an eligible veteran or member of the armed services. Transferring from a Idaho conventional mortgage to an Idaho VA Home Loan is known as a “Idaho Conventional to Idaho VA Refinance Loan” and is a very straightforward process.

 

The “Conventional to VA Refinance Loan” process is described in detail in our article Can I Qualify For An Idaho VA Refinance If I Currently Have An Idaho Conventional Loan?

 

A common question related to VA refinancing is whether or not you can get a refinance on a VA loan if you are currently upside down on your mortgage. The answer is…you can!

 

Just to be clear, being “upside down” on a mortgage is when you owe more on your mortgage than the current value of your home. This is a highly unfortunate situation that many American home owners are facing today.

 

In 2008 a law titled the “Veteran Benefits Improvement Act” was passed to assist veterans who were upside down on their mortgage. This law created the opportunity for eligible veterans to get an Idaho VA refinance and improve their financial circumstances.

 

The enhancements made to the VA home loan program are described in our article Can I Refinance My VA Loan If I Am Upside Down On My Mortgage?

 

Of course, you are also allowed to refinance your home if you currently have an Idaho VA mortgage. An Interest Rate Reduction Refinancing Loan (IRRRL) is considered a Idaho VA Streamline Refinance.  This is a quick and easy way to either lower your monthly mortgage payment or take money out of your home with minimal work, at no cost to you!

 

Some of the additional benefits of an Idaho VA Streamline Refinance or IRRRL include:

• In some cases, you may not need to have an appraisal of your home.

• Limited income verification.

• An extremely low VA Funding Fee – only 0.5%

Frequently Asked Idaho VA Loan Questions:

 

Q: What is a VA Guaranteed Home Loan?

A: VA guaranteed home loans are loans made to eligible veterans for the purchase of a home as their primary residence. The guaranty means the lender is protected against loss if you fail to repay the loan. The guaranty replaces the protection the lender normally receives by requiring a down payment allowing you to obtain favorable financing terms.

 

Q: Does my entitlement guarantee that I will get a home loan?

A: No VA cannot compel a lender to make a loan that would violate their lender policies.

 

Q: How much is my entitlement?

A: Your basic entitlement is $36,000. For loans in excess of $144,000 to purchase or construct a home, additional entitlement up to an amount equal to 25 percent of the Idaho VA county loan limit for a single family home may be available .  This means that qualified veterans could get a no down payment purchase loan for those amounts.

 

Q: How do I apply for a VA guaranteed loan?

A: You can apply for a VA loan with my company who is a mortgage lender 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 lender that you are eligible for a VA loan.

 

Q: How do I get a Certificate of Eligibility?

A:  Complete a VA Form 26-1880, Request for a Certificate of Eligibility. You can apply for a Certificate of Eligibility by submitting a completed VA Form 26-1880, Request for a Certificate of Eligibility for Home Loan Benefits, to the Winston-Salem Eligibility Center, along with proof of military service.

 

Q: Can my lender get my Certificate of Eligibility for me?

A: Yes, it’s called Web LGY. Most lenders have access to the Web LGY system. This internet based application can establish eligibility and issue an online Certificate of Eligibility in a matter of seconds. Not all cases can be processed through Web LGY – only those for which VA has sufficient data in our records.

 

Q: What is acceptable proof of military service?

A: If you are still serving on regular active duty, you must include an original statement of service signed by, or by direction of, the adjutant, personnel officer, or commander of your unit or higher headquarters which identifies you and your social security number, and provides your date of entry on your current active duty period and the duration of any time lost.

If you were discharged from regular active duuty after January 1, 1950 a copy of DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge From Active Dutyshould be included with your VA Form 26-1880. If you were discharged after October 1, 1979, DD Form 214 copy 4 should be included.

If you are still serving on regular active duty, you must include an original statement of service signed by, or by direction of, the adjutant, personnel officer, or commander of your unit or higher headquarters which shows your date of entry on your current active duty period and the duration of any time lost.

If you were discharged from the Selected Reserves or the National Guard, you must include copies of adequate documentation of at least  6 years of honorable service. If you were discharged from the Army or Air Force national Guard, you may sumit NGB Form 22, Report of Separation and Record of Service, or Reserve, you may submit a copy of your latest annual points statement and evidence of honorable service. Unfortunately, there is no single form used bythe Reserves or National Guard similar to the DD Form 214. It is your responsibility to furnish adequate documentation of at least 6 years of honorable service.

If you are still serving in the Selected Reserves or the National Guard, you must include an original statement of service signed by, or by the direction of, the adjutant, personnel officer, or commander of your unit or higher headquarters showing length of time that you have been a member of the Selected Reserves. Again, at least 6 years of honorable service must be documented.

 

Q: How can I obtain proof of military service?

A: Standard Form 180, Request Pertaining to Military Records, is usd to apply for proof of military service regardless of whether you served on regular active duty or in the selected reserves. This request form is not processed by VA. Rather, Standard Form 180 is completed and mailed to the appropriate custodian of military service records. Instructions are provided on the reverse of the form to assist in determining the correct forwarding address.

 

Q: I have already obtained one VA loan. Can I get another one?

A: Yes, your eligibility is reusable depending on the circumstances. Normally, if you have paid off your prior VA loan and disposed of the property you can have your used eligibility restored for additional use. Also, on a one-time only basis, you my hae your eligibility restored if your prior VA loan has been paid in full but you still own the property.

 

Q: Is the surviving spouse of a deceased veteran eligible for the home loan benefit?

A: The unmarried surviving spouse of a veteran who died on active duty or as the result of a service-connected disability is eligible for the home loan benefit. In addition, a surviving spouse who obtained a VA home loan with the veteran prior to his or her death (regardless of the cause of the death), may obtain a VA guaranteed interest rate reduction refinance loan.

 

If you have any questions about a VA home loan feel free to contact us.

 

 

Rick & Jane May
Mann Mortgage
Branch Manager/Owners
Direct: 208-861-0000
mannmortgagemeridian@gmail.com
ID MBL-2550 / NMLS # 173614/12870
www.idahohomegroup.com