California VA Loans

Secure a VA Mortgage in California

If you’re a veteran of the US Armed Services and you live in California, you can finance your home purchase or refinance with a California VA loan.  All veterans who have served without a dishonorable discharge are entitled to home loans backed by the Department of Veteran Affairs (VA).

Jump to: Eligibility | Loan Limits

What is the VA Loan?

The VA loan program is designed to provide an easy path to home ownership for veterans as part of the set of benefits offered to those men and women who have served this nation.  VA loans are funded by traditional lenders, often the same lenders that fund conventional loans, but when these loans are offered to veterans, the VA guarantees the full loan amount.  This is much like insurance, and it allows lenders to offer lower interest rates and better loan terms to veterans.

VA Loan Benefits in California

There are many benefits attached to VA loans in CA.  Often, no down payment is required during the home purchase and closing costs are reduced.  In some cases, it’s possible to purchase a home with no money down at closing.  There are few mortgages of this variety available on the market today.  This makes the VA loan program uniquely helpful for those who qualify.

Other benefits include the following.

• No early repayment penalties.  You can pay as much as you want to eliminate your debt as fast as possible without facing additional charges.
• Simple credit and income requirements.  Lenders aren’t as strict with VA loans as they are with conventional loans.
• No private mortgage insurance necessary.  The VA guarantees the loan.
• Multiple loan types and term lengths available.  Select the loan package that best meets your needs and the needs of your family.

VA Loan Requirements and Eligibility

There are several basic requirements that you must meet in order to qualify for a VA loan.  You must be an American citizen and a veteran of the US Armed Services.  You must not have been dishonorably discharged.  You must have served for at least 90 days continuously.  You need to obtain a certificate of eligibility from the VA office.

The minimum credit requirement is often 620, although different lenders will have varying requirements for credit and debt. 

A VA loan specialist can help you determine what additional requirements you may need to meet in your local area or in your personal case.  Fill out the form above to get started.

VA Refinance

VA loans aren’t limited to veterans who wish to purchase a home.  You can also refinance your current mortgage through a California VA Streamline refinance, or IRRRL.  This process is designed to move your refinance loan through the closing process faster and with fewer fees attached than conventional refinancing.

VA Cash-Out refinancing is also an option for veterans looking to withdraw home equity in the form of spendable funds. The funds can be up to 100% of your equity, and used for anything. 

A refinance can save you significant money on your monthly payments if you’re able to secure a lower mortgage rate than that of your current mortgage, and this, over the life of your loan, may save you many thousands of dollars.  You may even be able to pay your entire loan off faster with a refinance.  Contact a lender to determine your options.

California VA Mortgage Rates

Mortgage rates for VA loans vary depending on the state of the market, but lenders tend to offer significantly lower rates on VA mortgages than on conventional mortgages.  Check with several local lenders and compare rates to find out where the market currently sits.  As with all mortgages, you should do some research to find the best rates available before you settle for any specific lender.  Different lenders offer different rates.

VA Lenders in California

You can use the form above to get in touch with several local lenders in California, all uniquely qualified to help you fund your VA loan.  This step is important.  Research on the internet is good, but sooner or later you’ll need to find out what the VA loan limits are in your area, and the best way to do this is to contact a local lender.  You can get additional information from the Department of Veteran Affairs.

California Military Information

California is a large state and boasts a large, proud military presence.  The state is home to 27 military installations.  Camp Pendleton is the largest of them all.  Other bases include Vandenberg AFB, Edwards AFB, Fort Irwin, NAS Point Mugu, NAWS China Lake, and Point Loma, among others.

VA Loan Lending Limits in California

Lenders in: California.