Do You Need a VA Loan Specialist?
Purchasing a home is a huge transaction and not one you want to enter into lightly. It can also be an exciting adventure particularly if it’s your first home purchase.
The excitement can quickly fall to the wayside, however, if you’re unfamiliar with the process and find yourself in over your head. Using a loan specialist can make all the difference.
Learn what a loan specialist can do for you and why it may be beneficial to have one when obtaining a mortgage.
What is a Home Loan Specialist?
A home loan specialist is a professional trained in the areas of finance, business and loans.
When you apply for a mortgage, you may find that there is a lot more to the process than you’d anticipated.
Depending on the lender, it can be a simple process, but are you getting the best deal possible?
A loan specialist can not only help get you through the process, but they can help you choose the loan that’s best for you and/or your family.
What many don’t realize is that there are different types of mortgage loans.
FHA Loans – FHA loans are loans that are backed by the Federal Housing Administration.
They do require that you purchase mortgage insurance, but also offer benefits. They typically offer lower interest rates and are available to borrowers with less-than-perfect credit scores.
FHA loans also require only a 3.5 percent down payment. They are an excellent option if you’re a first-time home buyer.
VA Loans – VA loans are mortgage loans available to veterans and their spouses.
They are backed by the Department of Veterans Affairs, so they are also attractive to potential homebuyers or homeowners interested in refinancing their current mortgage loans.
They’re also available to consumers with less-than-perfect credit. The best features of VA loans are that they do not require mortgage insurance and typically don’t require a down payment.
Conventional Loans – Conventional loans are mortgage loans you get through lending institutions like banks, savings and loan, credit unions and private lenders.
They may or may not require mortgage insurance depending if you have at least 20 percent down payment.
Credit scores, home values, down payments and debt-to-income ratios usually determine interest rates.
While conventional loans may appear to be the most unattractive of the three types, there are times they’re the best option. Here again is where a loan specialist can be of great service.
What a Loan Specialist Does for You
Since you’ll probably be making payments on your mortgage for anywhere from 10-30 years, you want to make sure you’re getting the best and most affordable loan.
A loan specialist will assist you with the following.
- Completing and submitting your documentation
- Going over the lending process with you
- Helping you choose the right lender
- Explaining loan terminology
- Explaining the different types of mortgage loans
- Helping you choose the right loan type
- Assisting you throughout the entire process from the beginning and through the closing
- Having a loan specialist working with you can make the difference of a complicated or easy transaction.
It can also leave you with the confidence that you got the best deal and are armed with the information you need regarding your mortgage loan.
If you want to make the move to a new home, you will first have to sell your existing property. You will naturally want to get as high an amount as possible from the sale of your home.