Table of Contents
- What is the VA Loan Limit?
- How to Apply for a VA Home Loan?
- What is the Median Home Price?
- What are the VA Appraisal Fees?
- Do I need Flood Insurance?
- How do I learn about Property Taxes?
- What is the Population?
- What are the major cities?
- About Garland County
- Veteran Information
- Apply for a VA Home Loan
- VA Approved Condos
FAQ
What is the VA Loan Limit?
2021 VA Home Loan Limit: $0 down payment up to $5,000,000* (subject to lender limits) /2 open VA loans at one time $548,250 (Call 877-432-5626 for details).
How to Apply for a VA Home Loan?
This is a quick look at how to apply for a VA home loan in Garland County. For a more detailed overview of the VA home loan process, check out our complete guide on how to apply for a VA mortgage loan. Here, we’ll go over the general steps to getting a VA home loan and point out some things to pay attention to in Garland County. If you have any questions, you can call us at VA HLC and we’ll help you get started.
- Get your Certificate of Eligibility (COE)
- Give us a call at (877) 432-5626 and we’ll get your COE for you.
- Are you applying for a refinance loan? Check out our complete guide to VA Refinancing.
- Get pre-approved, to get pre-approved for a loan, you’ll need:
- Previous two years of W2s
- Most recent 30 days paystubs or LES (active duty)
- Most recent 60 days bank statements
- Landlord and HR/Payroll Department contact info
- Find a home
- We can help you check whether the home is in one of the Garland County flood zones
- Get the necessary inspections
- Termite inspection: required
- Well or septic inspections needed, if applicable
- Get the home appraised
- We can help you find a VA-Certified appraiser in Garland County and schedule the process
- Construction loan note: Construction permit/appraisal info
- Building permit
- Elevation certificate
- Lock in your interest rates
- Pro tip: Wait until the appraisal lock in your loan rates. If it turns out you need to make repairs, it can push your closing back. Then you can get stuck paying rate extension fees.
- Close the deal and get packing!
- You’re ready to go.
What is the Median Home Price?
As of February 28, 2021, the median home value for Garland County is $170,365. In addition, the median household income for residents of the county is $44,777.
How much are the VA Appraisal Fees?
- Single-Family: $500.
- Individual Condo: $500.
- Manufactured Homes: $550.
- 2-4 Unit Multi-Family: $550.
- Appraisal Turnaround Times: 10 days.
Do I need Flood Insurance?
- The VA requires properties are required to have flood insurance if they are in a Special Flood Hazard Area.
- In Garland County, there are some minimal flood hazard areas. Especially on the north side of the county, where Lake Ouachita is located. From it come Ouachita River, Clear Creek, and Gazypeau Creek, which are also minimal flood hazard areas. In the south, there are a few regions by Lake Hamilton and Cearly Creek.
How do I learn about Property Taxes?
- Shannon Sharp is the Garland County tax assessor. Her office can be reached at 200 Woodbine St, Hot Springs, Arkansas, 71901. Additionally, Shannon’s office can also be reached by calling (501)-622-3730
- The state of Arkansas provides programs and tax credits to incentivize job growth. For instance, Act 1042 of 2017 provides an income tax credit for each qualified youth apprentice who is at least 16 years of age and is employed to learn an occupation or is currently an apprenticeship or is at a work-based learning program.
What is the Population?
- As of 2019, Garland County’s population is 99,386, which saw a 3.5% increase in the past 10 years. Moreover, demographically speaking, 81% of the population is White, with 8% made up by the African American community, and 6% are Hispanic.
- Most county residents are between 18 and 65 years old, with 19% under 18 years old and 24% older than 65.
- In total, the county has about 40,209 households, with an average of 2.4 people per household.
What are the major cities?
The county has 4 cities, including the city of Hot Springs, which serves as the county seat. Besides, other important towns in the county are Fountain Lake, Lonsdale, and Mountain Pine.
About Franklin County
Garland County, Arkansas is full of outdoor activities and recreational opportunities, Cedar Glades Park features some 15 miles of the finest trails for biking and hiking, which were recently voted the best rated of its kind in the state, according to professional bikers. Besides, locals and visitors enjoy a Disc Golf Course, Flying Field with an ADA accessible covered control deck.
Electric Island, a wide variety of species, has made this their home. Some examples are armadillos, white-tailed deer, raccoons, different species of woodpeckers, nuthatches, vireos, and wrens. All can be found on the island year-round. Moreover, people come here to watch for loons, warblers, osprey, and waterfowl, and bald eagles depending on the season.
Another outstanding site is Lake Hamilton, which was created back in 1932 when the Arkansas Power and Light Company brought electricity to the region when they constructed the Carpenter Dam on the Ouachita River. Currently, the more than 7,000 acres of this lake make it one of the most popular lakes for recreation and peaceful living.
Finally, Lake Ouachita State Park is Arkansas’s largest lake. It features a 40,000-acre vast area of pure water surrounded by the astonishing Ouachita National Forest to enjoy activities such as skiing, swimming, diving, boating, and kayaking. Some of the fish varieties found here are crappie, bream catfish, and different types of bass when it comes to fishing.
Veteran Information
Garland County has a veteran population of 8,242.
- Garland County is home to two VFW post:
- Post-2278 Thaddeus H. Caraway Post – 660 Grand Avenue, Hot Springs National Park, Arkansas 71901.
- Post 10483 Hot Springs Village Post – 5010 Hwy 7 North Hot Springs Village, Arkansas 71910.
- VA Medical Centers in the county:
- Hot Springs VA Clinic – 177 Sawtooth Oak Street, hot Spring, Arkansas 71901.
- County Veteran Assistance Information
- Garland County Veteran Service Office – 501 Ouachita, Room 105, Hot Springs, Arkansas 71901.
VA Home Loan Information
- For more information about VA Home Loans and how to apply, click here.
- If you meet the VA’s eligibility requirements, you will be able to enjoy some of the best government-guaranteed home loans available.
- VA loans can finance the construction of a property. However, the property must be owned and prepared for construction as the VA cannot ensure vacant land loans.
VA Approved Condos
| Name (ID): BEL LAGO HPR (000028) Address: 244 BAYOU HOT SPRINGS AR 71913 GARLAND Status: Accepted Without Conditions Request Received Date: 01/15/2020 Review Completion Date: 01/26/2020 | Name (ID): HUNTLEIGH WOOD CONDOS (H00513) Address: 18 HUNTSMAN COURT HOT SPRINGS AR 71901 GARLAND Status: Accepted Without Conditions Request Received Date: 11/17/2010 Review Completion Date: 11/21/2010 |
| Name (ID): BELVEDERE GARDENS POA (C00510) Address: 575 BELVEDERE DR., 3 HOT SPRINGS AR 71901 GARLAND Status: Accepted Without Conditions Request Received Date: 01/15/2008 Review Completion Date: 02/28/2008 | Name (ID): MILLENNIUM BAY CONDOS (000004) Address: AMITY ROAD HOT SPRINGS AR 71913 GARLAND Status: Accepted Without Conditions Request Received Date: 06/07/2012 Review Completion Date: 07/18/2012 |
| Name (ID): DIAMONDHEAD MANOR (000017) Address: 472 CATHERINE PARK ROAD HOT SPRINGS AR 71913 GARLAND Status: Accepted Without Conditions Request Received Date: 03/28/2018 Review Completion Date: 04/16/2018 | Name (ID): VILLA MARIE TOWNHOMES (000009) Address: 700 HIGDON FERRY ROAD HOT SPRINGS AR 71901 GARLAND Status: Accepted Without Conditions Request Received Date: 12/12/2013 Review Completion Date: 01/07/2014 |
| Name (ID): HEIGHTS SUBDIVISION HPR (000023) Address: 124 CORPORATE TER HOT SPRINGS AR 71913-7268 GARLAND Status: Accepted Without Conditions Request Received Date: 11/06/2018 Review Completion Date: 12/18/2018 |
