Waives VA funding fee if 10% or more

Deeply discounted rate if 30% or more

No property taxes in Texas if 100% rating

REGRETS?   No Mr. President.  None that I can think of.

Here are the typical fees for property appraisals used in the home loan process:

VA Loans = $400 (set by VA)

FHA Loans = $450

Conventional Loans = $455

Investment Properties = $600

Just remember, these fees will likely fluctuate between lenders.

Thank you Raina for hand-making those awesome cookie houses for our United Lending Team!  We loved them!  (And we told everyone you made them, by the way.)  We already told other clients what they are up against.  You rock!

Lately we have received a couple of questions from Realtors who heard USAA can do VA loans for relatives of veterans, such as parents or children.  This is not the case.  Only veterans can get VA loans, with the exception of the unmarried surviving spouse of a deceased veteran.  USAA’s program is branded the  ”Military Family Home Loan” and is a joint venture with Wells Fargo.  This is simply an FHA loan through a Wells Fargo subsidiary and is NOT a VA loan.  When there are no other options, FHA ...]]>

Lately we have received a couple of questions from Realtors who heard USAA can do VA loans for relatives of veterans, such as parents or children.  This is not the case.  Only veterans can get VA loans, with the exception of the unmarried surviving spouse of a deceased veteran.  USAA’s program is branded the  ”Military Family Home Loan” and is a joint venture with Wells Fargo.  This is simply an FHA loan through a Wells Fargo subsidiary and is NOT a VA loan.  When there are no other options, FHA may be a good idea, but it is important to note that it is typically the most expensive loan program available due to the mandatory upfront and monthly mortgage insurance.  Bottom line… any lender who can do an FHA loan can do a “Military Family Home Loan” since it’s the same thing.  We get that USAA is trying to offer more options, but members would prefer they put more time and money into improving their delivery of VA loans.

We send out an email every January with one simple email link to the homestead exemption forms for all Texas counties. Remember that homeowners are now required to update the address on their driver’s license and vehicle registration before they apply.  All you need to do is click on this link and follow the directions:  TexasHomesteadForms.com 

Austin Title is hosting another “VA Home Loans” MCE class next Wednesday, January 25th.  Click here for more information and to register for our class.  We hope you can join us!

Here we are at 11/11/11: Veterans Day. Veterans Day originated as “Armistice Day” on Nov. 11, 1919, the first anniversary of the end of World War I. Congress passed a resolution in 1926 for an annual observance, and Nov. 11 became a national holiday beginning in 1938. President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed legislation in 1954 to change the name to Veterans Day as a way to honor those who served in all American wars. Per the Census Bureau there are roughly 22 million veterans in the United States, 1.6 million ...]]>

Here we are at 11/11/11: Veterans Day. Veterans Day originated as “Armistice Day” on Nov. 11, 1919, the first anniversary of the end of World War I. Congress passed a resolution in 1926 for an annual observance, and Nov. 11 became a national holiday beginning in 1938. President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed legislation in 1954 to change the name to Veterans Day as a way to honor those who served in all American wars. Per the Census Bureau there are roughly 22 million veterans in the United States, 1.6 million of which are female. Age-wise, 9 million veterans are 65 years old or older, while 1.7 million are younger than 35. War-wise, 7.6 million are Vietnam-era, 4.8 served during the Gulf War (1990 to the present), 2.1 million from WW II, 2.6 million from the Korean War, and 5.5 million from peacetime only. And for more “fun with numbers,” three states have 1 million or more vets: California, Florida, and Texas.

THANK YOU VETERANS FOR YOUR HONORABLE SERVICE!

During the American Revolution, many important political discussions took place in the inns and taverns of Philadelphia, including the founding of the Marine Corps. A committee of the Continental Congress met at Tun Tavern to draft a resolution calling for two battalions of Marines able to fight for independence at sea and on shore. The resolution was approved on November 10, 1775, officially forming the Continental Marines. As the first order of business, Samuel Nicholas became Commandant of the newly formed Marines. Tun Tavern’s owner and popular patriot, Robert Mullan, became his first ...]]>

During the American Revolution, many important political discussions took place in the inns and taverns of Philadelphia, including the founding of the Marine Corps. A committee of the Continental Congress met at Tun Tavern to draft a resolution calling for two battalions of Marines able to fight for independence at sea and on shore. The resolution was approved on November 10, 1775, officially forming the Continental Marines. As the first order of business, Samuel Nicholas became Commandant of the newly formed Marines. Tun Tavern’s owner and popular patriot, Robert Mullan, became his first captain and recruiter. They began gathering support and were ready for action by early 1776.  Each year, the Marine Corps marks November 10th with a celebration of the brave spirit which compelled these men and thousands since to defend our country as United States Marines.

Happy 236th Birthday Marines.

Realtors, are you looking for a great class to get a solid understanding of VA loans and working with veterans?  If so, join us on December 9th at the Williamson County Association of Realtors (WCAOR) in Round Rock for Chad’s VA Home Loans MCE class.  Simply click here to read about this class and to register online.  Email me if you have any questions at all!