Joint VA Loans

Joint VA Loans
April 30, 2023

Wendy Harris
Journalist and Author

Mortgage Lending Compliance Officer

| April 30, 2023

What are Joint VA Loans | How do Borrowers Qualify? 

Department of Veteran's Affairs (VA) loans are available to active service members, military veterans, and surviving spouses of military veterans. We will provide information about Joint VA Mortgage loans. 

What are the Differences between a Joint VA Mortgage Loan and Traditional VA loans?

The difference between a Joint VA loan and a traditional VA loan depends on the combination of borrowers for the loan.

A married couple, where one is an active service member, a military veteran, or the veteran's spouse may apply for a Joint VA Loan. The VA benefits afforded them will not change.

Suppose an active service member, veteran, or surviving spouse of a military veteran applies for a Joint VA loan with an unmarried, non-military spouse. In that case, the lenders may require a down payment. 

The VA will only insure active service members, military veterans, and spouses of military veterans. A non-military, unmarried borrower may have to pay a down payment for half of the loan, which the VA does not insure. 

The lenders would ask for this as the risk of the loan increases without the VA ensuring the Joint VA Mortgage Loan.

Two military borrowers may apply for a joint VA loan. Both service members are eligible for the VA home loan as they have met the service requirements.

Joint VA Loan Example:

One service member has served for five years, and the other has served for three years. They have decided to purchase a house jointly in a suburban area near a military base.

They plan to use the home as their primary residence and are excited to take advantage of the VA home loan program's benefits.

The service members may use only one of their VA loan benefits. They will use the service member who has served for five years VA loan benefits.

What are VA eligibility requirements?

To be eligible for a VA home loan, a borrower must meet specific requirements, including but not limited to:

Serving on active duty for at least 90 consecutive days during wartime or at least 181 days during peacetime

Being honorably discharged

Meeting specific income and credit requirements

Acquire their Certificate of eligibility.

Does the VA Joint Home Loan require Mortgage Insurance?

The mortgage insurance serves as an assurance for lenders in case of default on your loan. Conventional loans require mortgage insurance when a borrower pays less than a 20% down payment. With VA loans, however, no such insurance is needed - instead, it comes with a VA funding fee that the federal government sets between 1.25%-3.3%. 

A borrower may pay this fee upfront or include it in their total loan amount, depending on the size of their down payment.

Does the VA Require a Funding Fee for Joint VA Home Loans?

The amount of a borrower's VA funding fee is based on their particular loan and borrower information. Additionally, if they are a veteran with a disability from military service-related activities, they may be eligible to receive an exemption; this exemption allows the borrower not to pay this fee. 

If any of these apply to the borrower or you have additional questions regarding eligibility for the waiver program, please don't hesitate to contact the Veterans Administration directly.

What are the benefits of a Joint VA Loan? 

There are benefits to applying for a Joint VA loan. 

1. A VA-qualified borrower may be able to qualify for a larger loan. The borrower may be able to purchase a more expensive house. If both borrowers are working, there will be more power to purchase with the two incomes.

2. A VA-qualified borrower may be able to take out a Joint Mortgage loan with a family member or friend. 

What are the downsides to applying for a Joint VA Loan?

1. If a VA-qualified borrower wants to take out a VA Joint Mortgage with a borrower who does not qualify for VA benefits, the borrower may have to provide a down payment. The down payment.

2. The borrowers will have to pay the VA funding fee.  

What is the Application Process for a Joint VA Loan?

The Department of Veteran's Affairs ensures Joint VA Mortgage Loans. The VA does not issue mortgages, so the borrower must work with a private lender, such as bank, credit unions, and mortgage companies. Private lenders are educated and work well with the VA on mortgage loans. Applying and qualifying for VA home loan is easy. 

The borrower will need to obtain their Certificate of Eligibility (COE). Please see our information on COEs.

They will also need to supply copies of the requested financial documents. This documentation may include social security numbers, two most recent pay stubs, previous addresses, two months of bank account statements, and the last two years of federal tax returns. 

These documents assist the lender in verifying the veteran's income, credit report, and debt-to-income ratio.

The borrower will typically need a credit score of 620. Their debt-to-income ratio should be no more than 43%. 

The process and requested documentation may vary by lenders. The borrower should use this information to prepare. 

Joint VA Loan Conclusion:

If a borrower meets the qualifications for a Jumbo VA Mortgage loan, this may be the right choice. VA-eligible borrowers must research different loan types, qualifications, and lenders when purchasing a home. It is essential as there are many programs out there.

Joint VA mortgage loans are an excellent option for eligible veteran borrowers looking to purchase a home. The borrower will have no down payment requirement, competitive interest rates, and loan amounts up to $453,100 in most states. This type of loan can make homeownership more accessible than ever before.

However, a VA-eligible borrower must find a VA lender willing to work with their particular circumstances and provide the necessary VA entitlement to take advantage of these benefits.

Before applying for a Joint VA loan as an eligible borrower, research different lenders and compare their offerings to get the best deal possible on your new home.

Additionally, make sure that the borrower understands the various requirements and conditions associated with this type of loan so that you can meet them. With the right tools and knowledge, a Joint VA loan could be the perfect way for veterans to purchase their dream home.

Once an eligible borrower finds a lender willing to work with their situation, the next step is to submit their application, verification of service, proof of income, and other documentation necessary to prove they are eligible for a Joint VA loan.

Additionally, if they are applying with a spouse or another qualified veteran borrower, their information will also need to be included.

After submitting their application and all of the necessary documents, they will need to wait for a response from their lender.

Once approved, they can then start the process of shopping for their new home—all while enjoying the benefits that come with a VA mortgage loan.

When purchasing a home, it's essential to understand the terms and conditions associated with any loan a borrower may be considering.

Understanding the benefits is especially true for joint VA mortgage loans, which have certain restrictions and requirements that must be met.

Knowing the loan details may help ensure that the borrowers qualify for this type of financing and take advantage of its benefits.

Furthermore, it's essential to ensure that any loan you take out fits within their budget and that they are comfortable with the overall cost.

By considering all of these factors, they will be in a better position to make informed decisions when it comes to financing their new home.

The VA mortgage loan program is an excellent way for eligible veterans to purchase a home. With no down payment requirement and competitive interest rates, homeownership is more accessible than.

Before applying for a Joint VA loan as an eligible borrower, be sure to research different lenders and compare their offerings so that they will get the best deal possible on their joint VA loan.

Please read through this site for information, and if you have questions, we are here to assist.

Our expert mortgage officers are available to assist with any questions.  

Please call us at 1-866-713-9292 or apply online.

Wendy Harris
Journalist and Author

Mortgage Lending Compliance Officer

| April 30, 2023

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Frequently Ask Questions

Yes, nonmilitary co-applicants can apply with a Veteran for a Joint VA Loan?