VA loans help you get a home with little money down, little to zero interest on the loan, and very flexible repayment terms. However, as someone who is actively serving in the military, you might not have time to track down a lender that offers VA loans. The following places to check for VA loans will help you locate and apply to a lender who is best suited to your immediate needs.
Talk to a Military Benefits Officer
Your benefits officer has comprised a list of all lenders who work with the military and are willing to provide loans to the service personnel. This is especially beneficial when you want a short list of program participants to which you can apply. It usually is not a complete list of program participants, but when you do not have enough time to find your own participant, this list will definitely do the trick.
Check Online
There are a number of online-only lenders that offer VA loans. The best part about applying for a VA loan online is that the decision is usually made in one to two minutes, and you will get an acceptance announcement on-screen. In the event that the announcement tells you to call the company's loan officer for more information or that they cannot provide you with a loan right now, you will be able to find out just why you could not get an instant loan. A paper letter will also be mailed to you with an explanation included.
You should also apply to a couple of different online lenders. The terms of borrowing online are a little more different because of where these loans actually originate. You may be applying for a VA loan in Virginia, but the lender is actually based in Arizona. The lending rules in Arizona take precedence, and that is why you may get some online offers that are a little different from each other.
Most Banks and Credit Unions Offer VA Loans Too
Each branch of the military has its own credit union or bank that provides services to its personnel. If there is not a branch of this bank or credit union for your branch of the military anywhere near you, most civilian credit unions and banks also offer VA loans. Ask the individual banks and credit unions what their terms are, as the civilian lenders are allowed a little leeway with interest rates.