From the monthly archives:

July 2010

VA Home Loans versus CalVet | Which is Better for California Home Buyers

by Tim Storm on July 31, 2010

There are several differences between the VA home loan program and the Calvet home loan program. California veterans should take time to learn about both programs to determine what is best for them. There are times when the Calvet program is better and other times when the VA home loan program is better. Below are some of the differences, and why at this time the VA home loan program is better for most California veterans purchasing a home.

CalVet vs VA: Who is the Lender?

VA home loans are guaranteed by the Veterans Administration, but the actual loan is made by banks and mortgage banks. The VA’s guarantee on the loan encourages lenders to offer favorable terms to veterans, resulting in low interest rates. With the CalVet program, the state of California is the lender. California uses bond funds to lend to any virtually any Veteran who wishes to purchase a home in California.

Va vs. CalVet | Down Payment Requirements

The loan limits for 100% financing on a VA loan in California vary by county. For example, in Orange County and Los Angeles County, the 100% financing limit is $593,750. California VA loan limits are very high. It is possible to go above $593,750 by coming in with a small down payment. The down payment is equal to 25% of the difference between the 100% financing limit and the purchase price.

The CalVet loan limit in California is $521,250, including the the financed Funding Fee. In some California Counties that limits is higher than VA, and in some counties it is lower. CalVet offers three basic programs: a 100% financing program, a 97% program, and a 80/20 program. There are subtle differences between these programs which need to be understood. While the 100% program allows the VA Funding Fee to be financed into the loan, just like the standard VA home loan program, the 97% program requires it be paid in escrow. This adds a considerable expense, on top of the down payment requirement.

Interest Rates for VA and CalVet home loans

Interest rates will fluctuate for the VA home loan program. This is an area where the VA program can easily beat out the CalVet program, and why the VA program has been more popular over the past few years. In 2010, VA home loan interest rates and been in the 4.5% to 5.5% range. The CalVet interest rates currently range between 5.75% and 6.2% according to information posted on their website. Because CalVet interest rates are based on Bond Funding, their interest rates do not fluctuate. So currently, CalVet interest rates have not changed since May 8, 2009.

Restrictions on the CalVet program

The CalVet program functions differently than the VA home loan program. With most mortgage programs, including the FHA, VA, and Conventional home loan programs, the California home buyer holds title to the home. The lenders holds the lien. Calvet uses a Contract of Sale for the financing instrument. This means CalVet actually holds title. There are advantages and disadvantages to this. It makes it difficult to refinance or get a second mortgage, whether its to take advantage of low interest rates or improve the home. An advantage is that CalVet is able to get group insurance rates for home owners insurance. In some areas where home owners insurance is difficult to get this can be beneficial. VA financing on condos in California can be tricky with either program. The condo project should be on the VA approved condo list.

When beginning the process of buying a home, it is important to find a California VA loan expert who understands the VA loan program and can quickly PreQualify and PreApprove you for a home loan. Finding someone who can answer your questions and provide customized loan scenarios is important.

Authored by Tim Storm, an Orange County, CA  VA Loan Officer – Please contact my office at Alpine Mortgage Planning for more information about an Orange County, CA home loan.  877-786-4243 x 7. MLO 223456

www.OCFHALoans.com

Contact us for your Orange County VA Mortgage:

Call our office today and see how we can help you and your family. Ask for your Free First Time Home Buyer Report.

877.786.4243 x 7 | tstorm (at) ochomebuyerloans.com

* Alpine Mortgage Planning is licensed and supervised by the Department of Corporations under the California Residential Mortgage Lending Act. NMLS 81395.

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Orange County VA Home Loans After Foreclosure or Short Sale

by Tim Storm on July 8, 2010

Orange County Veterans who have had a short sale are able to purchase a home with $0 down only two years after the short sale. The same goes for veterans who have had a foreclosure. VA is relatively flexible in how they look at foreclosures and short sales, compared to FHA and Fannie Mae.

Short Sale versus Foreclosure

A short sale occurs when a home owner sells their home, even though they owe more than the home is worth. Their Orange County home loan lender needs to sign off on the home sale, since it is the bank who will be taking a loss on the property if it is sold.  A short sale can help to preserve a home owners credit compared to going through a full fledged foreclosure. FHA typically requires 3 years after a foreclosure or short sale, unless extenuating circumstances can be proved as the reason for the short sale.  Fannie Mae requires between 4 and 5 years after a foreclosure, but will lender to 80% of the properties value only two years after a short sale. But VA, at least for those that are eligible, will lender to 100% of the properties value up to the county VA loan limits. The VA Loan limits in Orange and Los Angeles counties, the $0 down loan limit is $593,750.

Veterans Need Perfect Credit After Foreclosure or Short Sale

The only catch is that the Orange County veteran will need perfect credit since the short sale or foreclosure.  Especially over the most recent 12 months. Many times, leading up to the short sale, the seller may have multiple mortgage lates, possibly 90 or 120 day lates. This can really weigh the credit report down and hurt the FICO score. This is why it is important to reestablish credit immediately after the short sale, or foreclosure, and n0t have any more lates after the sale of the home.

Quick Way to Find if you are Qualified for a VA Home Loan in Orange County, California

It is always important to get PreApproved for a VA loan prior to make an offer on a home. I is probably even more important to do after a short sale or foreclosure. Find a reputable VA loan expert in Orange County, CA, and have them prepare personalized VA loan scenarios which will give a breakdown of the purchase price, loan amount, closing costs, and amount needed to close. The VA loan officer can get the Automated Loan Approval, which is an important step in determining early on whether you can get a VA home loan to purchase a home. The key is to make sure to find someone with experience to get them job done easily and quickly,

Authored by Tim Storm, an Orange County, CA  VA Loan Officer – Please contact my office at Alpine Mortgage Planning for more information about an Orange County, CA home loan.  877-786-4243 x 7. MLO 223456

www.OCFHALoans.com

Contact us for your Orange County VA Mortgage:

Call our office today and see how we can help you and your family. Ask for your Free First Time Home Buyer Report.

877.786.4243 x 7 | tstorm (at) ochomebuyerloans.com

* Alpine Mortgage Planning is licensed and supervised by the Department of Corporations under the California Residential Mortgage Lending Act. NMLS 81395.

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