Working in the military comes with a lot of benefits for both the members and their families. Not only does one get to be proud of serving their country but also qualify for VA loans, among many other benefits. In this article, our major focus will be on VA loans. What are VA loans? These are mortgage loans that the military members and the veterans in the US are eligible for. The VA home loanĀ benefit is indeed worth it as they have advantages such as low-interest rates, zero down payment, no lender fees, and closing cost-benefit, among others. However, even with the benefits of taking one, the type of lender you choose has a significant impact on the whole process. With that said, here are some of the tips that will help you choose the right VA lender;
- Gather reviews and referrals
The first thing you want to do before getting a VA loan from a lender is to hear what other people are saying about a given lender. Reach out to some of your colleagues who have taken the loan and get to know the lender they used. So much so, go to some of the websites of the VA approved lenders and scheme through the reviews. This, in turn, gives you insight into whether or not a particular VA lender is good enough for you or not. And this leads us to our next point; compare the mortgage rates of the lenders.
- Compare the mortgage rates of the lenders
There are a plethora of approved VA lenders in the market today, and all of them have different requirements and mortgage rates. Take your time to compare the mortgage rates that the lenders offer before taking the plunge. However, note that there are a lot of factors that affect the rate that the lender offers you, such as your credit score and debt to income ratio. Therefore, select a lender who offers the best deal with all factors considered.
- Experience is key
Similar to any other investment concerning taking loans, it is imperative to choose a lender who has enough experience on the job. An experienced VA lender knows the ins and outs of the field and is in a better position to advise you on how to go about the loan. They will also guide you on the whole process of buying the home and even help you choose the one that is the best fit according to your loan qualifications.
- Find out about their customer service
Another critical factor that you need to consider is the customer service of the lender. How do they treat their clients? How is their communication like? This is important as you will be having a lot of interaction with the VA lender during the whole process until you finish paying your loan. A good way to know more about customer service is through the reviews that they have. Negative reviews are a red flag, move on to the next!