In a Nutshell
pros
- Works with poor credit
- Works specifically with VA loans
- Get discounts for past service
cons
- Won’t find out discount info until later on
- Limited customer service options
VA Rate Guide at a Glance
| Direct lender or marketplace | Marketplace |
| Loan Types | Purchase and refinance |
| Featured Loans | Varies based on lender |
| Repayment Terms | Varies based on lender |
| Minimum Down Payment | Varies based on lender |
| Minimum Credit Score | Varies based on lender |
| Suitable For | VA and relatives of veterans |
Overview
VA Rate Guide caters to veterans and their families because, frankly, they deserve extra special service. After all, we might not be here if it wasn’t for their service! VA Rate Guide is an open marketplace for mortgage lenders and homeowners to connect. You put in your details, and VA Rate Guide’s smart algorithm quickly filters through the entire network of reputable lenders to find you the most relevant ones for you. From there, you’ll get to choose your mortgage loan.
Suitable For?
VA Rate Guide is suited for veterans (active-duty members, active reserve, or national guard) and those who can benefit from their benefits. This includes spouses, children, and sometimes other relatives. Some eligibility requirements are included, but for the most part, this applies to all vets. Since VA Rate Guide works to help veterans get a better loan, it is a good fit for these consumers who are looking to purchase a new home or refinance a current one.
Types of Loans/Products
VA Rate Guide partners with several of the most prestigious mortgage lenders in the country. Some well-known names include Kegan Mortgage Corporation, Infiniti Home Loans, Inc, and Veterans First Mortgage. It also works with Griffin Funding, a VA loan specialist. So, while the types of loans available vary from one lender to the next, you'll always find something suitable for your situation.
Not to discourage other homebuyers who aren’t veterans, VA Rate Guide has plenty of lenders that work with you too—companies like Gold Star Mortgage, Flashpoint Mortgage Corp, and First Rate Mortgage, LLC. There are plenty of options for all consumers looking for a mortgage loan.
Some of the types of loans you can find with these partners include:
- Conventional fixed-rate loans
- Adjustable-rate mortgages (ARMs)
- VA loans
- FHA loans
- Jumbo loans
- Balloon loans
The terms of the loans also vary considerably, so it’s important to sit down with a contract and read through it thoroughly before signing up with an individual lender. Things like credit score required, APRs offered, how much down payment is required, loan terms, and who is eligible will depend on the individual lenders.
The Application Process
This is the most appealing part of the whole VA Rate Guide package. Applying for a mortgage used to take months (if you’re an older veteran, you probably remember this painfully). You had to go to an office, sit with a broker, discuss options, review your finances, fill out paperwork, and wait, and wait, and wait. Even once things moved to a digital platform, you still had to search through hundreds of options, fill out the same application form over and over again, and, you guessed it, wait.
With VA Rate Guide, the entire game has changed. You'll fill out a single application form online, and that's it. Seriously. Your application is sent out to the trusted network of lenders on VA Rate Guide, and only the applicable lenders respond to you. So, you get multiple top-rated lenders handing you rate quotes without having to do any of the work. It's literally saving you days and weeks of effort.
Once you decide on a mortgage lender, you’ll have to go through their application process as well. But that’s a lot better than doing it the old-fashion way.
Rates and Fees – The Bare Basics
VA Rate Guide is a free service. It is not a direct lender. Rather, VA Rate Guide connects you to the appropriate mortgage lenders, so you can work directly with them to get your loan. For this service, you don’t have to pay a thing. Since VA Rate Guide is not actually lending you the mortgage, it does not set any fees or rates.
Each independent mortgage lender will set their own fees and rates, and this can vary considerably. For example, some lenders will charge you a prepayment penalty if you try to pay back your loan earlier than the agreed-upon date, while others will not. Some mortgage lenders charge an origination fee, and some don't. In short, you'll need to see the exact contract or even ask the lenders directly which fees they charge.
The interest rates will be displayed when lenders send you a rate quote. So, you can compare the offers and only pursue the most relevant ones.
Repayment Terms
The same applies to repayment terms. VA Rate Guide doesn’t set the repayment terms; only the individual lenders do that. Generally speaking, though, VA Rate Guide partners offer loans with terms such as 10, 15, 25, and 30 years. You can take out a longer loan if you want to make smaller monthly payments. Or you can opt for a shorter loan, so you end up paying less interest over the life of your mortgage loan.
Help & Support
VA Rate Guide has an online email contact form. Fill out your name, contact details, and questions, and a customer support rep will get back to you with an answer.
Summary
VA Rate Guide is a great tool for finding reliable mortgage lenders faster. A free service, VA Rate Guide, is particularly suited for veterans. But anyone can benefit from the easy online application process, a wide network of reputable mortgage lenders, and fast response time.
FAQs
Q: How much are closing costs?
A: Closing costs are generally 3%-4% of the home’s purchase price.
Q: What is a locked rate?
A: Interest rates are constantly fluctuating. So, when you find a good interest rate, you want to lock it in or hold it in place so that even if the national rate changes, you won't lose your good deal. Locking is usually relevant for 30 or 60 days.
Q: Is refinancing a good option?
A: Refinancing an old mortgage is a good idea for many people. For example, if you can get a lower interest rate than the one you're currently paying or if you can get a fixed rate instead of your current adjustable-rate mortgage. These are 2 good opportunities to help you save money.
Q: How long should it take to close on my new home?
A: Various factors will affect the overall time frame, but the average closing time is 40 days.
Physical Address
LeadPoint, Inc.
12121 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 810
Los Angeles, CA 90025
