Is A Down Payment Required For A VA Loan?
Traditional home loans on average require a down payment of 20% of the total loan amount, as stated by Ellie Mae, the mortgage provider software.
According to the Mortgage Bankers Association, this down payment represents a sum of $48,179 for the average American.
The VA loan program provides qualified borrowers the opportunity to avoid down payment fees. VA loans do not require a down payment. This is incredibly fortuitous for military buyers without deep cash reserves.
The VA lenders handbook accounts for the lack of a down payment by stating “because VA loans can be for the full reasonable value of the property, no down payment is required by VA.”
You may be required to make a down payment if you currently already have a VA loan and want to get a second VA loan, or have had a foreclosure or short sale on a previous VA loan. In both these scenarios, a limitation is placed on the loan amount, called the “VA Loan Limits”
For example, let’s say you live in San Diego. The maximum $0 down limit for 2022 is $879,750.
In this scenario, if you wanted to buy a home that cost $879,750.00, but already have a VA loan that you previously purchased for $500,000, you would need to make a down payment.
Although a down payment is not required, consideration, however usually is. Consideration is a deposit also known as an earnest money deposit. Due when contracts are signed, the best way to understand an EMD is to look at is as something of value (financial) given to the owner in exchange for the promise of sale. Not a down payment, consideration can be applied to the down-payment if you are required to make one. Consideration paid can be refunded if the property transaction is finished (either closed or rescinded). The possibility of which is based largely on the terms of the contract.
Why is a down payment not needed?
A down payment is not needed for VA home loans because the Veterans Administration guarantees that the lenders loss will at the very least be partially recouped in the event that there is a default (foreclosure or short sale). This guarantee amounts to 25 percent of the initial loan investment. The presence of this guarantee enables financing to be more widely available to veterans, it also allows for more favorable underwriting guidelines when compared to traditional loans.
To determine your eligibility for the VA home loan contact VA Home Loan Centers today!
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