Even though many veterans have already used their loan benefits,
it may be possible for them to buy homes again with VA financing using remaining
or restored loan entitlement.
Interest Rate Reduction VA Loan Program
The VA has created an Interest Rate Reduction Loan program called the Streamline Refinance.
This provides a way for current VA homeowners to lower their interest rate with little or no
out-of-pocket costs. These loans can also be made faster and with less documentation than a
typical loan.
An Interest Rate Reduction Loan or Streamline Refinance allows you to refinance your current
mortgage interest rate to a lower rate than you are currently paying. This is only available
to veterans who are refinancing their original VA mortgage and utilized their original
eligibility.
"No Cost" Streamlines let you refinance your mortgage with no out-of-pocket expenses.
One option is to let the lender pay the costs in exchange for a higher interest rate.
Another option that lets you obtain market rates is to roll the closing costs into the
new loan.
No assumptions are allowed.
The veteran cannot receive any cash back.
VA does not require an appraisal, any income or employment verifications, no credit report and no termite report, yet the mortgage must have been paid as agreed for the last twelve (12) months and must be up to date at the time of refinancing.
Any other liens must be subordinated to the VA loan.
This loan can be done with "no out of pocket money" by including all costs in the new loan or by making the new loan at an interest rate high enough to enable the lender to pay the costs.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTION # 36 [ -more VA Loan questions- ] - - - - - - Q: Selling My VA Loan Property - Once I sell my property, am I released from my VA loan obligation?
A: Some people may assume that selling the property purchased with a VA loan releases them from obligation to the VA loan. This is not automatic! The borrower must notify either the VA or the lender and request that liability be transferred to the new owner. The borrower needs to request a 'release from liability" notice from the VA. There is an exception to this policy for those with loans closed before March 1, 1988. In these cases no notification is required, but it is a very good idea to request a release from liability from the VA anyway.
VA Loan Rates
for 1/06/2009
30 year fixed
-----------------
0.000 points
5.000%
5.106% APR
15 year fixed
-----------------
0.000 points
6.500%
6.694% APR