Boise Idaho VA Loan Requirements & Eligibility

Boise Idaho Veterans with active duty service (who were not dishonorably discharged) 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 of service.

 

Veterans and active duty military personnel who served during peacetime must have had more than 180 days of active service. Veterans of enlisted service starting after September 7, 1980, or officers with service beginning after October 16,1981, must in most cases have served at least 2 years.

 

The VA does not require that you have a certain credit score in order for approval. The actual mortgage lenders, however, are allowed to set their own standards for Boise Idaho VA Home loan requirements.

 

Changing economic conditions and increased losses due to loan defaults have motivated lenders to limit who they will lend to.

 

Since early 2010, most VA lenders in the U.S. have tightened their lending and credit score requirements, making home financing harder to come by for those with credit issues or other criteria that makes their loan more risky.

 

As a result, getting a loan without a down payment is more difficult, though one of the few remaining options for 100% financing is an Boise Idaho VA loan. Major lending groups have generally resolved to set the minimum credit score requirement at 620.

 

To learn more about this, our article Credit Score Requirements For Boise Idaho VA Mortgages is a great place to start.

 

There are three specific pieces of documentation a lender will need to determine your eligibility:

  • A DD214 for discharged veterans.
  • A statement of service for active military personnel.
  • A certificate of eligibility (COE) to determine you have VA entitlement.

 

Because each lender has different qualifying guidelines, the next step is to contact your lender to find out if you meet their Boise Idaho VA loan requirements such as minimum FICO/credit scores, debt-to-income (DTI) ratios, and find out what your county’s maximum loan amount is.

 

Your Boise Idaho VA lender can help you attain your certificate of eligibility on your behalf.

 

Lastly, if you have either had a divorce, filed bankruptcy, or had a previous home go into foreclosure, you are not immediately disqualified from a VA loan, although there are some additional restrictions.

 

You can find more information regarding these topics in our articles titled Divorce And VA Loan Eligibility

Frequently Asked VA Loan Questions:

 

Q: Are the children of a living or deceased veteran eligible for the home loan benefit?

No, the children of an eligible veteran are not eligible for the home loan benefit.

 

Q: How can I obtain proof of military service?

Standard Form 180, Request Pertaining to Military Records, is used 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: Is the surviving spouse of a deceased veteran eligible for the home loan benefit?

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.

 

If you have any questions about VA mortgage loans please feel free to contact us.

Credit Score Requirements For Boise Idaho VA Mortgages

The VA does not require a certain credit score in order for approval.

 

However, the actual mortgage lenders are allowed to set their own standards for Boise Idaho VA loan requirements.

 

In the recent years, eligible veterans and military personnel have enjoyed an easier mortgage process than was available to many home buyers obtaining conventional loans. Occasionally, a veteran could receive a loan through the VA with a lower credit score and little or no down payment.

 

Changing economic conditions and increased losses due to loan defaults have motivated lenders to limit the availability of such mortgage deals.

 

Since early 2010, most lenders in the U.S. have tightened their lending and credit score requirements, making these loans harder to come by.

 

As a result, getting a loan without a down payment is more difficult, though one of the few remaining options for 100% financing is a Boise Idaho VA Mortgage. Major lending groups have generally resolved to set the minimum credit score requirement at 620.

 

These conditions similarly impact the Idaho VA Streamline Refinance program. Previously, the program let borrowers with a standing VA loan refinance to another VA loan without an appraisal. This allows veterans to navigate the process with much less paperwork by streamlining the process.

 

Most lenders now require borrowers to pay up to $300 or more for their own appraisal, which varies in price depending on the location and value of the home. If the appraisal shows the home value to be less than the VA loan amount, the lenders are likely to decline the application.

 

There is some good news for those eligible for a Boise Idaho VA loan, and the VA lenders who offer them: VA borrowers default significantly less (2.6%) than prime borrowers in general (3.4%).

 

However, the credit scores of V.A. insured borrowers are generally lower than other prime borrowers, according to the Federal Housing Finance Agency.

 

All things considered, Boise Idaho VA Mortgage loans remain a great opportunity. Veterans and active duty military personnel who qualify can often secure a low mortgage rate and meet the VA loan requirements even if their credit score is less than perfect.

 

In addition, about 25% of applicants to the Boise Idaho VA Mortgage loans, such as disabled or retired veterans, qualify for exemption from the one-time insurance fee that amounts to about 0.5% – 3.3% of the loan amount, depending on the scenario.

Frequently Asked Questions:

 

Q: Are the children of a living or deceased veteran eligible for the home loan benefit?

No, the children of an eligible veteran are not eligible for the home loan benefit.

 

Q: How can I obtain proof of military service?

Standard Form 180, Request Pertaining to Military Records, is used 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: Is the surviving spouse of a deceased veteran eligible for the home loan benefit?

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.

 

If you have any questions about VA mortgage loans please feel free to contact us.