The VA mortgage qualification requirements and eligibility requirements that are currently in place will pretty much be the same in 2024. However, there could be some changes to the Florida VA loan limits associated with the program.
VA mortgage of course offers several benefits to Florida military service members and their families. The biggest advantage is the option for 100% financing with no monthly mortgage insurance costs (PMI) for loan amounts up to $4mil. The only other mortgage option that permits 100% financing in 2024 is the USDA loan, which has its own eligibility requirements.
FHA mortgages are widely available, but they require a 3.5 percent down payment. Eligible VA borrowers who meet all the VA loan requirements can get a mortgage with very little to NO money down. This accounts for the program’s popularity among those serving in the military.
Generally speaking, it is easier for borrowers to qualify for a VA loan compared to a conventional mortgage (one that is not backed or insured by the government). VA allows for lower credit standards and more flexibility overall. According to the Department of Veterans Affairs, the “VA guarantees a portion of the loan, and this backing allows the lender to provide you with more favorable terms.”
But not everyone can qualify for this type of financing. Like any other mortgage product, this program has certain qualification requirements and standards associated with it. This article takes a current, updated look at VA loan requirements for this year.
Basic Eligibility Requirements: Department of Veterans Affairs
You can think of the VA home loan qualification as a two-step process. You must meet two sets of requirements, in order to qualify for such a loan. First, we have the basic eligibility requirements set forth by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). This department of the federal government manages the program and establishes the minimum requirements for VA loans.
Generally speaking, you are eligible for the program if you meet any of the following criteria listed below: If you are a homebuyer and have questions, please call us 7 days a week at ph: 800-743-7556 or just submit the quick info request on the right side.
- You are a veteran who served 181 days during peacetime (active duty).
- You are a veteran who served 90 days during wartime (active duty).
- You served at least 6 years in the National Guard or Reserves.
- You are currently on active duty and have served at least 90 continuous days.
- You were discharged from the military due to hardship.
- You are the un-remarried spouse of a veteran who died while in service or from a “service-connected disability.”
Service members who have received a dishonorable discharge are generally not eligible for the program. As you can see, the eligibility requirements for VA loans are fairly broad in range. They are meant to include most service members who have served in the military for a certain length of time. Just remember the two-step system mentioned earlier. These are the minimum requirements established by the government.
The government does not actually originate VA loans. They are originated in the private sector, like most other types of mortgages. The government simply guarantees a portion of the amount being borrowed. So, in addition to meeting the basic eligibility guidelines above, you must also meet whatever VA loan requirements are imposed by the lender. Please read the VA lender requirements below.
Other VA Lender Requirements in 2024
The Department of Veterans Affairs establishes clear and specific guidelines when it comes to length and type of service. But the information they offer about other VA loan requirements is somewhat vague.
For instance, the Department says “you must have suitable credit, sufficient income, and a valid Certificate of Eligibility (COE) to be eligible for a VA-guaranteed home loan.” But they offer no specific definition of suitable credit or sufficient income. This leaves borrowers scratching their heads and asking a lot of questions: What credit score is needed to qualify for a VA loan? How much can I borrow based on my income? What about my other debts, do they play a role?
This is where the two-tiered system comes into play. Here’s what you need to know.
It’s possible to be turned down for a VA loan, even though you meet the government’s minimum guidelines for program eligibility. Meeting the Department’s requirements is not enough. You must also meet the lender’s requirements — specifically when it comes to credit scores and debt-to-income ratios. These are two of the most important factors when it comes to qualifying for a VA loan.
VA Credit scores: As mentioned earlier, the Department of Veterans Affairs does not have any specific requirements for credit scores. But you can bet the mortgage lender does, and this can vary from one lender to the next. According to the VA Mortgage Center, a company that specializes in this program, most lenders are looking for a credit score of 600 or higher these days.
But this is not a hard-and-fast rule. We expect some lenders to offer more flexible requirements for VA loans, due to the drop-off in loan volume resulting from rising interest rates. So don’t fixate on that 600 number. If you’re slightly below that, but you are well-qualified in other areas, you could still be approved.
VA Debt ratios: The VA debt-to-income ratio, or DTI, is another important VA loan requirement. This is a comparison between the amount of money you earn (gross monthly income) and the amount that goes toward your fixed monthly expenses (recurring debts). Generally speaking, your total DTI ratio — including the house payment — should not exceed 41%.
This requirement is imposed by the lender, not by the VA. So it varies from one mortgage company to the next. Exceptions are often made for borrowers with excellent credit, significant savings in the bank, etc. Lender and brokers call this “strong compensating factors of the loan” Income may come from a variety of sources including but not limited to: base military pay, non-military employment, commissions, self-employed income (min 2-year history) retirement income, spouse’s income, and alimony.
VA Mortgage Documents: When it comes to VA home loan requirements in 2024, documentation is key. The banks and lenders will request a wide variety of documents to verify your income and assets, as well as your current debt situation. They also need to verify and document your ability to repay the loan, in keeping with new lending requirements.
Documents needed for VA financing typically include the Certificate of Eligibility (COE), the Uniform Residential Loan Application (URLA), bank statements, tax returns and W-2 forms, the DD Form 214 for veterans who have left the military, and a variety of standard VA documents. If you need assistance in finding these documents, we can help. Just call Ph: 800-743-7556 7 days a week or submit the quick info request form on this page.
VA Occupancy: The VA also has specific requirements for occupancy status. Simply put, you must use the home as your primary residence. You cannot use this program to finance the purchase of an investment or vacation property.
VA Appraisal: Just like any other home loan program, the Department of Veterans Affairs requires all homes being purchased with a VA loan to undergo a property appraisal. This is when a licensed appraiser evaluates the home to determine how much it is worth in the current market. Generally speaking, the house must be worth the amount you have agreed to pay for it, and it cannot exceed the VA loan limit for the county in which it is located. The house “must be adequate collateral for the requested loan,” according to the Department.
Obtaining Your Certificate of Eligibility or COE
Borrowers who wish to use a VA loan to buy a house must first obtain a Certificate of Eligibility (COE). This document is issued by the Department of Veterans Affairs. The borrower must then present the COE to the lender when applying for the loan. The COE essentially says that the individual meets the Department’s minimum eligibility requirements.
To obtain a COE, applicants must provide evidence of their eligibility. This can be done in several ways:
- Veterans who have separated from the military can provide a DD Form 214. It must show the character of service and the reason for separation.
- Active-duty military personnel, National Guard members, and reservists can provide a statement of service signed by the personnel office (typically) or the unit commander.
- Discharged members of the National Guard who have never been on active service can provide NGB Form 22 or 23.
- Discharged members of the Selected Reserve who have never been on active service can provide a copy of the latest annual retirement points statement and evidence of honorable service.
This is a basic overview of COE documentation requirements. For more detailed information, visit the home loans section of the Department of Veterans Affairs website, www.benefits.va.gov/homeloans
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