Buying a Home with VA Loans: 6 Common Mistakes to Avoid
VA loans offer veterans a convenient way into the property market. As they’re backed by the Department of Veteran Affairs, applicants can get away with putting no money down.
But, that doesn’t mean you should go ahead without caution. Here are 6 common mistakes to avoid when buying a home with VA loans.
1. Buying above your means
Not needing to put down a deposit is great, right? Surely it means you have more money to spend on the property. Not necessarily. You’ll still need to make monthly payments to your lender on time regardless of your current financial situation.
Therefore, you should keep your budget well within your financial means and not overspend.
2. Don’t ignore your credit score
Your credit score doesn’t matter as much with VA loans, but it does still count. It doesn’t have to be amazing for you to qualify but a better credit score will still mean lower interest rates on your mortgage repayments.
3. Still shop around
There are plenty of lenders that offer VA loans so be sure to shop around. After all, you won’t know you’ve got the best deal until you understand the market a bit better.
VA loans are competitive, and it’ll be worth your time to compare several in detail. You can find 9 of the best VA loan lenders.
4. Not using a VA loan real estate agent
To get the most from your purchase, you should go with a real estate agent who’s aware of the VA loan process. Your chosen property will need to meet requirements from the VA department, and it’ll be a massive help for you if the real estate agent understands this process.
5. Budget for extra costs
Buying a property always costs more than you think. You’ve got things like inspection fees, real estate fees, and more. While buying a home with a VA loan will make the process cheaper for you, it doesn’t mean you can forget about all these extra costs.
The usual advice is to have 10% of your deposit spare to cover these, so reserve enough money based on what your deposit would have been.
6. Don’t skip an inspection
Property inspections are vital when buying a home. Being aware of any potential issues gives you greater negotiating powers and could even sway your decision about buying the property. Although they’re not always mandatory, property inspections are definitely worth the extra cost.
If you get made aware of any repairs, ensure it’s written into the contract that they’ll either be sorted before you close or that the seller will reduce the asking price accordingly.
Conclusion
Buying a home with VA loans is a viable way into the property market for veterans. Of course, securing a mortgage is one thing but keeping up with it is another thing entirely.
Don’t overstretch yourself just because you have the option of not paying a deposit. Treat the process as you would if you were paying a deposit and be sure to avoid these 6 common mistakes to ensure your success.
Money.com offers a guide that covers the pros and cons of VA loans, including requirements, terms, and benefits. Their research has been featured by many veteran aid programs, veteran nonprofits, and the VA themselves. If you are interested in benefiting from this critical information, use the link below to get a copy today. No cost, no gimmicks – just good info. https://money.com/best-va-loans/#guide