Everything you need to know about home loans in one place. Use our "frequently asked questions" section to learn everything about mortgages, refinancing, home equity lines of credit and more.
If you’re a veteran or surviving spouse who qualifies for a VA loan, you might be wondering if it’s really the most cost-effective way to buy a home. Since VA loans do have a wide variety of benefits, most people would say yes. But, in reality, the truth can be more complex; while VA loans are often the best option for eligible borrowers, they aren’t always the smartest choice. Keep reading to learn when to use a VA loan and when to stick to a conventional mortgage, and why.
Read MoreLoans from the Department of Veterans Affairs, commonly known as VA loans, are some of the most attractive home loans out there -- offering the potential for zero down payments and qualification with credit scores as low as 620. If you served in any branch of the U.S. military and separated under any condition that is not dishonorable, you might qualify for a VA loan.
Read MoreAs a future homeowner, choosing the best mortgage for you is like choosing the best career path: there are tons of options, but only a handful that you’ll qualify for, and even fewer that will really make you happy. The good news is that by asking yourself which mortgage is best for you, you’re already thinking like a savvy consumer -- you recognize that you have a choice between many different mortgage products, and it’s just a matter of narrowing them down.
Read MoreIf you have a VA loan on your current home, you can refinance it into a conventional loan-- but it might only make sense in a few, very particular situations. Since conventional loans typically have higher interest rates and charge monthly private mortgage insurance (PMI) premiums, you probably wouldn’t want to refinance your VA loan just to save money on your mortgage payments.
Read MoreIf you have a VA loan, can you refinance it? The answer is a resounding yes. There are several reasons why a borrower might want to refinance their VA loan, including trying to get a lower interest rate, increasing or decreasing the term of their mortgage, and tapping the equity in their home in order to get some cash.
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