Monterey County, California VA Home Loan Information

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 Monterey 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 up to $5,000,000* (Subject to lender limits) /2 open VA loans at one time $739,450* (Call 888-573-4496 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 Monterey County. For a more detailed overview of the VA home loan process, check out our complete guide on how to apply for a VA house 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 Monterey County. If you have any questions, you can call us at VA HLC and we’ll help you get started.

1. Get your Certificate of Eligibility (COE)
   • Give us a call at (877) 432-5626 and we’ll get your COE for you.
2. Are you applying for a refinance loan? Check out our complete guide to VA Refinancing.
3. 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
4. Find a home
   • We can help you check whether the home is in one of the Monterey County flood zones
5. Get the necessary inspections
   • Termite inspection: required
   • Well or septic inspections needed, if applicable
6. Get the home appraised
   • We can help you find a VA-Certified appraiser in Monterey County and schedule the process
   • Construction loan note: Construction permit/appraisal info
     1. Building permit
     2. Elevation certificate
7. Lock in your interest rates
   • 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.
8. Close the deal and get packing!
   • You’re ready to go.

What is the Median Home Price?

As of March 31, 2021, the median home value for Monterey County is $693,107. In addition, the median household income for residents of the County is $71,015.

How much are the VA Appraisal Fees?

• Single-Family: $600.
• Individual Condo: $600.
• Manufactured Homes: $600.
• 2-4 Unit Multi-Family: $850.
• Appraisal Turnaround Times: 7 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 Monterey County, most of the flood zones are in the coastal areas. Nonetheless, your real estate agent can help you check if a specific property is in a flood area.

How do I learn about Property Taxes?

• Stephen L. Wahnini is the tax assessor for Monterey County. His office is located at 168 West Alisal Street, 1^st Floor, Salinas, California 93901 and at (831) 755-5035.
• Veterans, owner-occupiers, and senior citizens may be eligible for property tax relief. You can find out whether you qualify through the county assessor. In addition, the Assessor’s Office can do re-appraisals to determine property values.

What is the Population?

• The County’s population of 434,061 is 59% Hispanic, 29% White, and 6.7% Asian.
• Most county residents are between 18 and 65 years old, with 26% under 18 years old and 14% older than 65.
• In total, the County has about 127,155 households, with an average of 3.2 people per household.

What are the major cities?

There are a total of twelve cities, with Salinas serving as the county seat. The eleven other significant cities in the County are Carmel-by-the-Sea, Del Rey Oaks, Gonzales, Greenfield, King City, Marina, Monterey, Pacific Grove, Sand City, Seaside, and Soledad.

About Monterey County

Monterey County is located on California’s Central Coast. This region is known for its beautiful, cliffy coastline, which includes the world-famous Big Sur. There is also the Monterey Bay Aquarium, a pioneering public aquarium where you can see firsthand what’s lurking just offshore.

Further inland, farming communities lie in the shadow of the NAME mountains. Salinas, the county seat, is known as the “Salad Bowl of the World.” In addition, it is one of the world = leaders in the agricultural technology (AgTech) industry.

Monterey County combines rich local history, beautiful seaside landscapes, and active farming regions. It is a great place for people looking to get away from large cities or want to further their interests in agriculture and AgTech. It also has a large and welcoming veterans community.

Additionally, the County has plenty to offer for people who are sporty or love the outdoors. Northern California is the birthplace of mountain biking, and there are plenty of great single-track trails to explore. There’s also a bike path that runs up the California Coast.

If leisurely hikes and lying on the beach are more your pace, the Salinas River National Wildlife Refuge and Pinnacles National Parklet you take in the scenery at your speed. There is also great camping at Andrew Molera State Park.

In addition to its natural beauty, Monterey County is also a social hub. The annual county fair has excellent food, fabulous local art, and a spooky haunted mansion. Countless cultural and musical festivals take place throughout the County. Finally, there is the world-class local arts scene. Take one look at the Big Sur coastline, and you’ll see why it’s no surprise that some of the world’s best arts call Monterey County their home.

Veteran Information

The County is currently home to 16,874 veterans.

• Military Bases
  • Fort Hunter Liggett – 238 California Avenue, Jolon, California 93928.
  • Presidio of Monterey – 1759 Lewis Road, Monterey, California 93944.
• Monterey County is home to four VFW post:
  • Post 6849 Lt. Billy Paulsen Jr. Post – 90 5^th Street, Spreckels, California 93962.
  • Post 811 Fort Ord Memorial Post – 694 Legion Way, Marina, California 93933.
  • Post 8679 Sea-Mont Memorial Post – 1996 Fremont Blvd. Seaside, California 93955.
  • Post 6747 Sgt. Frank Lillard Post – 599 Bitterwater Road, King City, California 93930.
• VA Medical Centers in the County:
  • Major General William H. Gourley VA-DoD Outpatient Clinic – 201 9^th Street, Marina, California 93933.
• County Veteran Assistance Information
  • Monterey County Veteran Affairs Office – 1000 South Main Street, #209A, Salinas, California 93901.

Apply for a VA Home Loan

• 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): CONTINENTAL TOWNHOMES HOA (000255) Address: 102-192 CASIDA CANYON DR MONTEREY PARK CA 91754 MONTEREY Status: Accepted Without Conditions Request Received Date: 04/05/2017 Review Completion Date: 06/07/2017	Name (ID): COUNTRY CLUB GATE (000054) Address:  PACIFIC GROVE CA 93950 MONTEREY Status: Accepted Without Conditions Request Received Date: 06/24/2012 Review Completion Date: 09/30/2012
Name (ID): CYPRESS PARK (000386) Address: 820 CASANOVA AVE MONTEREY CA 93940 MONTEREY Status: Accepted Without Conditions Request Received Date: 04/22/2019 Review Completion Date: 05/01/2019	Name (ID): EAST GARRISON MASTER HOA (000284) Address: 13201 THOMAS LANE EAST GARRISON CA 93933 MONTEREY Status: Accepted Without Conditions Request Received Date: 08/30/2017 Review Completion Date: 09/06/2017
Name (ID): GOLDEN OAKS CONDOMINIUMS (008543) Address:  MONTEREY CA 93940 MONTEREY Status: Accepted Without Conditions Request Received Date: 03/28/2010 Review Completion Date: 05/02/2010	Name (ID): HACIENDA DEL SOL @ 70 FOREST (000102) Address: 70 FOREST RIDGE MONTEREY CA 93940 MONTEREY Status: Accepted Without Conditions Request Received Date: 12/22/2013 Review Completion Date: 02/04/2014
Name (ID): HERITAGE GARDENS CONDOS (C00422) Address: N MAIN ST SALINAS CA 93906-0000 MONTEREY Status: Accepted Without Conditions Request Received Date: 02/01/2001 Review Completion Date: 02/16/2001	Name (ID): KIMBERLY PLACE (008455) Address: TRACT 1473 MONTEREY CA 93940 MONTEREY Status: HUD Accepted Request Received Date: 11/04/2009 Review Completion Date: 11/05/2009
Name (ID): KIMBERLY PLACE COMMUNITY ASSOC (000136) Address: AKA FOOTPRINTS ON THE BAY MONTEREY CA 93940 MONTEREY Status: Accepted Without Conditions Request Received Date: 10/05/2014 Review Completion Date: 11/23/2014	Name (ID): LAUREL GROVE RESIDENCE ASSOC (000322) Address: 417 TYLER PLACE UNIT D SALINAS CA 93906 MONTEREY Status: Accepted Without Conditions Request Received Date: 03/20/2018 Review Completion Date: 05/22/2018
Name (ID): LIBERTY @ EAST GARRISON (000254) Address: — MAP 1489//13201 THOMAS LANE EAST GARRISON CA 93933 MONTEREY Status: Accepted Without Conditions Request Received Date: 03/14/2017 Review Completion Date: 04/12/2017	Name (ID): OCEAN FOREST CONDOS (C00426) Address:  MONTEREY CA 93940-0000 MONTEREY Status: Accepted Without Conditions Request Received Date: 01/01/1990 Review Completion Date: 01/02/1990
Name (ID): OCEAN HARBOR HOUSE HOA (000550) Address: 125 SURF WAY MONTEREY CA 93940 MONTEREY Status: Accepted Without Conditions Request Received Date: 04/19/2021 Review Completion Date: 04/27/2021	Name (ID): SHERWOOD LAKE (C00411) Address: TRACT 866, PH. III SALINAS CA 99999-0000 MONTEREY Status: Accepted Without Conditions Request Received Date: 11/05/1985 Review Completion Date: Unavailable
Name (ID): TANGLEWOOD (C01178) Address: TRACT 639 & 738 MONTEREY CA 93940-0000 MONTEREY Status: Accepted Without Conditions Request Received Date: 07/15/1985 Review Completion Date: 07/15/1985	Name (ID): THE OAKS OF DEL REY (C01294) Address: TRACTS 1058, 1059, 1060 DEL REY OAKS CA 95113-0000 MONTEREY Status: Accepted Without Conditions Request Received Date: 01/03/1991 Review Completion Date: 01/03/1991
Name (ID): TRINITY TERRACE HOMEOWNERS (000470) Address: 1198 TRINITY AVE SEASIDE CA 93955 MONTEREY Status: Accepted Without Conditions Request Received Date: 06/02/2020 Review Completion Date: 07/06/2020	Name (ID): VILLAGE NORTH, TRACT 986 (C00432) Address: AKA VILLAGE NORTH LAGOON SALINAS CA 99999-0000 MONTEREY Status: Accepted Without Conditions Request Received Date: 09/10/1984 Review Completion Date: 03/15/1995
Name (ID): VISTA DEL MAR CONDOMINIUMS (000229) Address: 116 MAR VISTA DRIVE MONTEREY CA 93940-6032 MONTEREY Status: Accepted Without Conditions Request Received Date: 08/27/2018 Review Completion Date: 09/09/2018	For more information about the VA condo approval process, call us at (877) 432-5626.

Links

California VA Loan Information

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