WHO IS ELIGIBLE?

VA direct home loans are available to eligible veterans who wish to purchase or construct a home.

WHAT CAN THE LOAN BE USED FOR?

A VA direct loan can be used to purchase, construct, or improve a home on Native American trust land. These loans may also be used to simultaneously purchase and improve a home or to refinance another VA direct loan made under this program in order to lower the interest rate. VA direct loans are generally limited to the cost of the home, or the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation single-family conforming loan unit, whichever is less. Contact a VA office with loan activities for information regarding the current loan limit and any other questions you may have concerning VA direct home loans.

FIVE EASY STEPS TO A VA LOAN

1. Make sure that your lender is participating in the VA direct loan program.
2. Apply for a Certificate of Eligibility.
3. Decide on a home to buy and sign a purchase agreement or a contract with the builder to build the home. Make sure to include in the contract a provision that makes the contract void if you are unable to obtain a VA direct loan.
4. Contact either your local housing authority or VA to apply for the loan. An appraisal of the property will be ordered, and you will be asked to provide information needed to verify your income and credit history.
5. Close the loan and move into your new home.

REQUIREMENTS FOR LOAN APPROVAL

To obtain a VA direct loan, the law requires that:

• The applicant must be an eligible Native American veteran who has available entitlement.
• The tribal organization or other appropriate Native American group must be participating in the VA direct loan program. The tribal organization must have signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, which spells out the conditions under which the program will operate on its trust lands.
• The loan must be to purchase, construct, or improve a home on Native American trust land. Individually allotted land is considered trust land for this purpose.
• The veteran must occupy the property as his or her home; a loan for rental or investment purposes is not permitted.
• The veteran must be a satisfactory credit risk.
• The income of the veteran and spouse, if any, must be shown to be stable and sufficient to meet the mortgage payments, cover the other costs of owning a home, take care of other obligations and expenses, and have enough left over for family support.
• All prospective applicants are encouraged to first contact either their local housing authority or VA to discuss their financial situation and obtain a general idea of whether or not they might qualify for a home loan.

The maximum loan amount may not exceed VA's estimate of the reasonable value of the property to be purchased. A qualified appraiser assigned by VA will perform the appraisal and make this determination. An application fee, collected from the veteran at the time of loan application, will be used to pay for the cost of the appraisal and for other expenses connected with the processing of the loan.

It is important to recognize that VA does not guarantee the value or condition of the property. Homebuyers should carefully inspect the property themselves, or have it inspected by a reputable inspection firm.

Loan Application

Contact either your local housing authority or VA to apply for the loan. The party processing the loan verifies the applicant's income and assets, and obtains a credit report to see that other obligations are being paid on time. If VA office reviewing the package determines that all is well and the appraised value of the property is enough to cover the loan needed, the loan will be approved and a date set for loan closing.

REQUIREMENTS FOR LOAN APPROVAL

To obtain a VA direct loan, the law requires that:

• The applicant must be an eligible Native American veteran who has available entitlement.
• The tribal organization or other appropriate Native American group must be participating in the VA direct loan program. The tribal organization must have signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, which spells out the conditions under which the program will operate on its trust lands.
• The loan must be to purchase, construct, or improve a home on Native American trust land. Individually allotted land is considered trust land for this purpose.
• The veteran must occupy the property as his or her home; a loan for rental or investment purposes is not permitted.
• The veteran must be a satisfactory credit risk.
• The income of the veteran and spouse, if any, must be shown to be stable and sufficient to meet the mortgage payments, cover the other costs of owning a home, take care of other obligations and expenses, and have enough left over for family support.
• All prospective applicants are encouraged to first contact either their local housing authority or VA to discuss their financial situation and obtain a general idea of whether or not they might qualify for a home loan.

COSTS OF OBTAINING A VA DIRECT LOAN

• A funding fee of 1.25 percent must be paid to VA unless the veteran is receiving compensation because of a service-connected disability. In the case of veterans who qualify based on service in the Reserves or National Guard, which was not active duty, the funding fee is 2 percent of the loan amount. The funding fee may be paid in cash or it may be included in the loan.

Other closing costs may not be included in the loan. Closing costs may vary because of differing local laws and customs. The following items may be paid by the veteran purchaser, the seller, or shared:

• VA appraisal
• Credit report
• Loan processing fee of up to $300 to a party who processes your loan
• Title search and title insurance or other title review fee
• Recording fees
• State and/or local transfer taxes, if applicable,
• Survey
• Hazard insurance premium

No commissions, brokerage fees, finders fees, or "buyer broker" fees may be charged to the veteran buyer.

NEED MORE INFORMATION?

Veterans seeking more detailed information concerning the VA direct loan program should contact their local housing authority or VA. Loan Guaranty personnel at VA will be pleased to answer specific questions and provide any other assistance they can.

If you are a Native American veteran interested in obtaining or improving a home on trust land, or know of someone who is, it makes sense to look into the VA direct loan program as a good way to finance a home purchase.