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Ambassador
2,161,048
Silvia Dukes PA, Broker Associate, CRS, CIPS, SRES
Tropic Shores Realty - Ich spreche Deutsch! - Spring Hill, FL
Florida Waterfront and Country Club Living

VA loans are a great options for our Veterans. Sometimes sellers will not agree to contribute to closing costs so that's something the buyers should be aware of from the start. 

May 28, 2018 06:14 AM
Rainmaker
2,462,840
Anita Clark
Coldwell Banker Access Realty ~ 478.960.8055 - Warner Robins, GA
Realtor - Homes for Sale in Warner Robins GA

Living in a military city, many of my clients use their VA Eligibility to purchase a home. I haven't encountered any issues related to the VA process in the past year.

May 28, 2018 05:54 AM
Rainmaker
1,052,211
Candice A. Donofrio
Next Wave RE Investments LLC Bullhead City AZ Commercial RE Broker - Fort Mohave, AZ
928-201-4BHC (4242) call/text

When we do residential, VA's one of the most streamlined, efficient processes we deal with.
A BFF is a regional for a national VA lender, and her team is above and beyond.
The only thing that sucks with FHA and VA is that in a hopping market, sellers don't need to make concessions.
So we have to counsel buyers that they may need to come in with their own CCs minus disallowables in order to make the deal.

May 28, 2018 05:40 AM
Rainmaker
5,216,409
Wayne Martin
Wayne M Martin - Chicago, IL
Real Estate Broker - Retired

VA loans are a true advantage!

May 28, 2018 05:29 AM
Rainmaker
5,583,278
Barbara Todaro
RE/MAX Executive Realty - Happily Retired - Franklin, MA
Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team

VA loans are a "user friendly" compared to past years.... we only had one VA buyer purchase a multi we had listed, but what a smoothly run deal.

May 28, 2018 06:04 AM
Rainmaker
2,182,552
Michael J. Perry
KW Elite - Lancaster, PA
Lancaster, PA Relo Specialist

VA loans are great !

May 28, 2018 04:22 AM
Rainmaker
921,504
Annette Lawrence , Palm Harbor, FL 727-420-4041
ReMax Realtec Group - Palm Harbor, FL
Making FLORIDA Real Estate EZ

VA loan process has improved from the VA  process of years ago.

However, not even close the the preferred options homeowners in a inventory challenged market give priority.

May 28, 2018 04:17 AM
Rainmaker
1,712,676
Joe Pryor
The Virtual Real Estate Team - Oklahoma City, OK
REALTOR® - Oklahoma Investment Properties

Haven't done one in a ling time but have done many in my 28 years.

May 28, 2018 03:56 AM
Rainmaker
5,104,931
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Realtor

One of the first questions I ask all new buyers is whether they have VA loan eligibility. I do at least half a dozen sales each year involving a VA loan. And when a good lender who knows the VA loan product is involved I've not found any special challenges to a VA financing. And despite the belief amongs many agents that VA loans take a long time to complete, every single one of my VA clients has closed in 30 days or less for years now.

May 28, 2018 03:51 AM
Rainmaker
1,311,397
John Juarez
The Medford Real Estate Team - Fremont, CA
ePRO, SRES, GRI, PMN

Due to high prices and our very competitive market, we do not see many VA loan buyers. We received a VA offer on a recent listing. The price was attractive. It would not have appraised for the offer amount. The buyer had cash to bridge an appraisal gap. Another buyer offered a still higher price and more attractive terms and got the house. There were 21 offers.

May 28, 2018 06:38 AM
Rainmaker
1,231,853
Mary Yonkers
Alan Kells School of Real Estate/Howard Hanna Real Estate - Erie, PA
Erie/PA Real Estate Instructor

VA loans are often the only way some veterans can become homeowners. However, it is best to use a loan officer who has a positive track record with VA loans.

May 28, 2018 06:35 AM
Rainmaker
4,882,355
Richard Weeks
Dallas, TX
REALTOR®, Broker

I have never found them to be a challenge.

May 28, 2018 06:32 AM
Rainmaker
3,416,038
Scott Godzyk
Godzyk Real Estate Services - Manchester, NH
One of the Manchester NH's area Leading Agents

I am using more VA loans than ever, it has been easier. Buyers are happier and i find getting more help of how to prepare, what they need and getting it up front. Also the best advice was keep a copy of everything they submit in case the VA asks for it again and sometimes they do, but we are prepared

May 28, 2018 06:09 AM
Rainmaker
1,844,301
Lyn Sims
Schaumburg, IL
Real Estate Broker Retired

About the same. I've never had problems really with VA.

May 28, 2018 06:07 AM
Rainmaker
4,800,082
Gabe Sanders
Real Estate of Florida specializing in Martin County Residential Homes, Condos and Land Sales - Stuart, FL
Stuart Florida Real Estate

In comparing costs, a conventional loan is usually less costly for most of my clients except in some unusual circumstances.

May 28, 2018 05:53 AM
Rainmaker
3,071,489
Tony and Suzanne Marriott, Associate Brokers
Serving the Greater Phoenix and Scottsdale Metropolitan Area - Scottsdale, AZ
Haven Express @ Keller Williams Arizona Realty

Haven't had a Buyer use one for a number of years...

May 28, 2018 05:29 AM
Rainmaker
2,220,654
Anthony Acosta - ALLATLANTAcondos.com
Harry Norman, REALTORS® - Atlanta, GA
Associate Broker

VA loans are great for our veterans. 

May 28, 2018 08:28 AM
Ambassador
5,049,455
Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

VA loans are a huge benefit for our Veterans. I have a wonderful lender I have use - have had no issues, nor delays

May 28, 2018 07:24 AM
Ambassador
3,345,091
Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist
KD Realty - 408.972.1822 - San Jose, CA
Probate Real Estate Services

Not many VA Loans in my market.  I've represented a handful of buyers who had VA loans over the years. 

May 28, 2018 07:21 AM
Rainmaker
1,239,901
Sam Shueh
(408) 425-1601 - San Jose, CA
mba, cdpe, reopro, pe

Most sellers will only content with no loan contigiency or no contingency what so ever at the time of submitting their offer. Sellers have ample choice to pick buyers.....

May 28, 2018 07:17 AM
Rainer
509,449
Susie Kay
Ultra Real Estate Dallas Fort Worth - Plano, TX
North Dallas Specialist

In Dallas Metro we are seeing multiple offers acrosss the board and buyers with VA loan are having a hard time competing with cash and conventional loan. 

May 28, 2018 07:16 AM
Rainmaker
7,836,164
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

I have sold hundreds of homes with VA financing but none in the past year.

May 28, 2018 06:42 AM
Rainmaker
4,572,283
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

In of over twenty years in real estate, I have had one buyer (a repeat buyer but not a first time buyer) use his VA benefits for a real estate purchase. There were some issues in the process but none of them loan-related as I recall.  Unfortunately that type of mortgage is not as wide-spread in popularity in popularity in my market as it is in order locations.

May 28, 2018 05:44 AM
Rainmaker
4,319,419
Praful Thakkar
LAER Realty Partners - Andover, MA
Andover, MA: Andover Luxury Homes For Sale

Jay McHugh - thanks to our veterans!

It is very rare for me to help the buyers with VA loans - maybe, because of my demographic niche.

May 28, 2018 09:28 PM
Rainmaker
711,852
Lynnea Miller
Bend Premier Real Estate - Bend, OR
Premier Real Estate Service in Central Oregon

One of the ongoing issues we were experiencing locally when I joined Active Rain initially were the long appraisal times for VA loans - upwards of 3 to 4 months. Last week we closed a VA loan that took a total of 17 days, and our buyer was ready to cancel when the loan needed a 1 day extension due to the fact the appraiser got sick and needed a day to complete her report! VA loans are wonderful loans which recognize in a small way the service of our veterans.

May 28, 2018 09:04 AM
Rainmaker
1,525,616
Sybil Campbell
Fernandina Beach, FL
Referral Agent Amelia Island Florida

I always try to use VA loans when it benefits the client. The loan officers I use work hard to make it easy.

May 28, 2018 08:36 AM
Rainmaker
5,868,554
Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

I too have had many VA loans over the last few years, and they are pretty seamless.

Jun 01, 2018 02:45 PM
Rainer
87,920
Jeff Perlis Prime Properties
Prime Properties - Lake Arrowhead, CA
Experience Your Own Transformation!

Better.

May 30, 2018 12:11 AM
Rainmaker
4,936,705
Will Hamm
Hamm Homes - Aurora, CO
"Where There's a Will, There's a Way!"

I think it got better over the years.

 

May 29, 2018 05:24 PM
Rainmaker
3,986,258
William Feela
WHISPERING PINES REALTY - North Branch, MN
Realtor, Whispering Pines Realty 651-674-5999 No.

Most of my clients have found that conventional saves them a lot of money

May 29, 2018 03:03 PM
Rainmaker
4,272,548
Paul S. Henderson, REALTOR®, CRS
Fathom Realty Washington LLC - Tacoma, WA
South Puget Sound Washington Agent/Broker!

It was about a year ago and it was a breeze

May 28, 2018 10:42 PM
Ambassador
6,393,609
Bob Crane
Woodland Management Service / Woodland Real Estate, KW Diversified - Stevens Point, WI
Forestland Experts! 715-204-9671

Did not ever sell one using VA financing, but a friend did buy using VA financing last year, and it seemed to work out well for him.

May 28, 2018 07:23 PM
Rainmaker
3,988,007
Debbie Reynolds, C21 Platinum Properties
Platinum Properties- (931)771-9070 - Clarksville, TN
The Dedicated Clarksville TN Realtor-(931)320-6730

They are quite easy and have gotten some of my VA contracts closed in under 2 weeks if everything falls right into place.

May 28, 2018 05:51 PM
Rainmaker
2,241,478
Andrew Mooers | 207.532.6573
MOOERS REALTY - Houlton, ME
Northern Maine Real Estate-Aroostook County Broker

Super program, VA back in the 1980's dragged but they got the bugs out. The more of any program you do, the more you know which is the best program to reach for and apply for your buyer, to match the property.

May 28, 2018 03:47 PM
Rainmaker
763,883
Tony Lewis
Summit Real Estate Group - Valencia, CA
Summit Real Estate Group Valencia & Aliso Viejo

The VA has learned from their mistakes and have streamlined their system.  They are now quick, efficient and serve their veterans well.

May 28, 2018 03:23 PM
Rainmaker
1,543,823
Thomas J. Nelson, REALTOR ® e-Pro CRS RCS-D Vets
Big Block Realty 858.232.8722 - La Jolla, CA
CEO of Vision Drive Realty - Coastal San Diego

VA loans have gotten much easier over the last 19 years I've been serving my military buyers,

May 28, 2018 12:47 PM
Rainmaker
4,434,127
Gita Bantwal
RE/MAX Centre Realtors - Warwick, PA
REALTOR,ABR,CRS,SRES,GRI - Bucks County & Philadel

Nothing different

May 28, 2018 11:24 AM
Rainer
427,257
J.R. Schloemer
Kentucky Select Properties - Louisville, KY

While the funding fee can be steep and shocking, it is a great program for vets. I imagine we will begin to see less funding fees due to disabilities.

May 28, 2018 10:28 AM
Ambassador
2,684,109
Fred Griffin Florida Real Estate
Fred Griffin Real Estate - Tallahassee, FL
Licensed Florida Real Estate Broker

  VA Loans are easier than they used to be.  I remember dreading "the VA Appraiser".  Not anymore.

May 28, 2018 09:44 AM
Rainmaker
1,502,998
Ryan Huggins - Thousand Oaks, CA
https://HugginsHomes.com - Thousand Oaks, CA
Residential Real Estate and Investment Properties

On the listing agent side, I've only seen two VA loan offers in the last 3 years, which is odd because we have so many bases around here.

May 28, 2018 09:24 AM
Ambassador
5,230,113
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Savvy + Company (704) 491-3310 - Charlotte, NC
The RIGHT CHARLOTTE REALTOR!

I've found it to be a MUCH better process than it used to be, Jay! However, some sellers are still reluctant to accept VA buyers because of the past reputation of issues with repairs and appraisals. 

It's probably been 4 or 5 years since I had a single issue with a VA loan. I wish everyone would give them a chance to change their perspective on VA loans.

May 28, 2018 09:05 AM