Veterans Administration VA Fixed Rate Loan

In 1944, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the Servicemen's Readjustment Act into law. This bill, which eventually became known as the GI Bill, allowed veterans to purchase homes without making a down payment. Like other fixed rate loans, the VA Fixed Rate Loan gives borrowers the option of financing their mortgage in 15, 20, 25, or 30 year terms with the interest rate remaining fixed for the life of the loan.

VA loans are guaranteed by the Department of Veterans Affairs and can be used to purchase a single family home, including a townhouse or condominium unit in a VA approved project, to build a home, and purchase and improve a home. Loans are assumable under certain conditions and do not have a prepayment penalty.

VA financing is designed to benefit veterans of the armed services, those currently in active duty or the reserves, and their spouses. In order to qualify for a VA loan veterans must be eligible as defined by the Department of Veterans Affairs. Veterans can qualify to put zero down on a loan up to $417,000. VA Fixed Rate Loans are full documentation loans. Before closing, a funding fee must be collected from the borrower and can be financed into the loan. Funding fee exemption is possible upon proper verification of disability.

VA Interest Rate Reduction Refinance

The VA Interest Rate Reduction Refinance program is only available when transferring from one VA loan to another. The terms of the refinance are similar to those of other loans carrying with it 15, 20, 25, or 30 year options on fixed rate mortgages. Loans are assumable under certain conditions without a prepayment penalty.

A VA Interest Rate Reduction Loan or a VA Refinance are two options to consider when thinking about refinancing your mortgage. The VA Rate Reduction Refinance program is only available to veterans who are refinancing their original VA mortgage utilizing their predetermined eligibility and no assumptions are allowed.

To qualify for a VA Rate Reduction Refinance your current mortgage must have been paid as agreed for the last 12 months and must be up to date. The VA does not require an appraisal, credit report, or income and employment verifications. It is possible to refinance your mortgage through this program with no out of pocket expenses. This can be done by including the cost of the refinance into the new loan or by increasing the interest rate on the new loan and allowing the lender to pay the costs.