VA Loans in Jackson County, Florida: Take Advantage of the Zero Down Payment

The US Department of Veterans Affairs guarantees VA loans across the country, including the Sunshine State and its counties. The United States government commissioned the VA Home Loan program in 1944.

The program's sole purpose is to help those eligible returning service members become homeowners. Through the VA Home Loan, essential members of society can buy homes without making a down payment or present excellent credit.

So far, more than 25 million Veteran Affairs Home Loans have been guaranteed by this historic program. And with that, scores of active duty military members, surviving spouses, and veterans have been able to secure homes.

The VA Home Loan program has always played an integral role in making critical workers overcome barriers set by lenders. For the past few decades, VA Home loans have drafted a lifeline that ensures all eligible active service members, veterans, and surviving spouses facing down payment requirements and higher credit scores purchase homes quickly.

This explains why VA loans are a specialized type of loan product that is easy to process for critical workers. Read on to get a clear picture of different types of VA loans, their eligibility, and how to apply if you are in Jackson County, Florida.

Are you a Hometown Hero? Find out your eligibility for the Hometown Heroes Loan Program in Jackson County, Florida.

What are the Different Types of VA Loans in Jackson County, Florida?

For VA loan benefits, qualified veterans and surviving spouses have multiple powerful financial options. These options include:

Veteran Affair Purchase Loan

The VA Purchase Loan is an ideal financial option for service members and veterans looking to buy a new or existing property with a 0% down payment. This type of VA Home Loan enables you to purchase a single-family home; a manufactured home, a condominium, a multi-unit property, and new construction. Therefore, take advantage of the VA Purchase Loan to buy your home in Jackson County, Florida.

Veteran Affair Interest Rate Reduction Refinance Loan or VA IRRRL

If you are looking for a competitive VA Loan program among most Veteran homeowners, VA IRRRL has you covered. Commonly referred to as VA Streamlines, the VA IRRRL is a simple but low-cost home refinance loan that does not require income verification, an appraisal, or credit underwriting. This VA Home Loan program type is an excellent choice for veterans who already have another VA loan.

Veteran Affair Cash-Out Refinance

With the VA Cash-Out Refinance option, you can refinance your mortgage quickly. Also, you can take out cash from your home's equity. VA Cash-Out Refinance is available to veterans regardless of whether they have current VA loans or not. In this sense, eligible homeowners can use this loan to refinance up to 90% of their property value.

Just like other VA Home Loans, VA Cash-Out Refinance's loan-to-value requirements and lending guidelines may vary from one lender to another. Homeowners are also not allowed to take out the cash using this type of VA Home Loan.

For that reason, veterans with non-VA mortgages can rely on this home refinancing option as part of their basic rate-and-term refinance.

Veteran Affair Energy Efficient Mortgage

The VA Home Loan program allows you to borrow extra money to finance your home's energy efficiency improvements. This type of VA Loan is known as VA Energy Efficient Mortgage and is part of your home refinance or home purchase, provided that you have all the requirements.

The VA Energy Efficient Mortgage can provide up to $6000 to cater for the cost of all qualified home improvements. Heat pumps, storm windows, thermal windows, cooling systems, and solar heating systems are some of the home improvement features financed by this VA Home Loan program in Jackson County, Florida.

Sadly, you cannot use this refinancing option to buy non-permanent additions such as home appliances and window air conditioning units, among others.

Who is Eligible for the VA Loans in Jackson County, Florida?

To be eligible for the VA loan, you must be a veteran, an active service member, or a surviving spouse. In addition, you should meet the minimum requirements per the Department of VA, satisfy your private lender's income and credit requirements and possess a Certificate of Eligibility (COE).

Also, for you to be fully eligible for the VA Home Loan program, you must fulfill these requirements:

• You must have served in active service during wartime for about 90 consecutive days (three months)

• You must have served 181 days ( about six months) of active service during the peacetime

• You must have spent at least six years of your service in the Reserves or National Guard

• You are a surviving spouse of a late service member or a disabled one due to service-related causes

Failure to meet the above-mentioned basic service requirements does not exclude you from being eligible for a VA Home Loan program. In this case scenario, your eligibility will depend on the discharge. Your discharge should fall into one of these categories:

• Discharged for hardship, reduction in force, or at the US government's convenience

• Discharged due to service-connected disability or a medical condition

• Discharged for an early out or after serving at least 21 months of your two-year enlistment

Verification of Your VA Home Loan Eligibility Status

Your private lender will ask for a COE to verify if you meet basic service requirements. The COE will provide your lender with confirmation that you indeed qualify for the VA loan benefits.

Your lender will only have to pull your Certificate of Eligibility using your date of birth and social security number. Usually, this confirmation step is easy and timeless for most veterans. Besides the VA loan eligibility, the private lenders will have their own set of requirements that you need to satisfy.

Bear in mind that these lenders are responsible for financing the property you want to acquire, so they will have to assess and determine if you have sufficient reliable income to offset your loan. They will also check if you have acceptable debt levels or a credit score that meets all private lenders' credit requirements.

How Do I Apply for the VA Loans in Jackson County, Florida?

To get a VA loan, you need to approach a private lender that is well versed with VA loans. The whole process typically begins with getting pre-approved. The pre-approval can be done in minutes using a laptop, smartphone, or tablet.

But the entire VA loan application process can take between 30 and 45 days if you are under contract on a property/home. The process involves contacting the lender, verifying your eligibility, and completing the application.

Once the pre-approval process is successful, you will be issued with a loan pre-approval letter that convinces listing agents and home sellers that you are ready to buy your dream home.

What are the VA Loan Limits in Jackson County, Florida?

Once you become an eligible veteran, active service member, or surviving spouse with a full VA Home Loan entitlement, you can borrow as much as you want. In other words, you can take as much as your lender is willing to offer without necessarily having to make a single down payment.

However, you may be subjected to a VA limit if you have less than the required full entitlement. Lack of a full VA entitlement comes in when you have one or several active VA loans. This way, you will be subjected to the VA loan limit.

Another reason you may experience the VA limit is losing your previous VA loan to foreclosure. That said, your VA loan limit in Jackson County, Florida, is around $510,400 for a single unit of a small family rental (SFR). Always ask your lender to explain your VA loan limit for duplexes, triplexes, or fourplexes.

Can I Use the VA Loan More than Once?

Yes! The VA loan is not just a one-time home refinancing option but a lifetime benefit to deserving veterans, active members of service, and eligible surviving spouses living in Jackson county, Florida. If you had previously been awarded a VA Home Loan, you could still apply for another one, provided you meet all the qualifications.

So, once you qualify for your first VA loan benefit, you can rest easy knowing that this will be your benefit for many years. Aside from that, you can still have more than one VA Home Loan if you submit your application as required.

What is the VA Funding Fee?

This is the fee that ensures the VA Home Loan program is running smoothly. The fee helps sustain the program for the sake of future generations of military and veteran home buyers. The same fee plays a significant role in removing any additional burdens that may bother veterans and taxpayers.

The VA funding fee varies considerably depending on the individual borrower's circumstances and situation. For first-time borrowers, the VA funding fee is usually 2.3% of the total buying price of the property. On the other hand, the VA funding rate is 3.6% for subsequent users of VA loan benefits. But the total VA funding fee for VA IRRRL is approximately 0.5%, no matter how frequently you use the VA loan.

Under certain circumstances, VA beneficiaries can roll the VA funding fee into their loan amount. Their closing costs may also be limited by VA, forcing sellers to take care of all the expenses. VA also exempts surviving spouses and veterans from paying the VA funding fee.

What are the VA Loan Overall Benefits?

As a popular program among veterans, active service members, and surviving spouses, the VA Home Loan is a compelling mortgage option in Jackson County and the rest of Florida. Its popularity and power come from several financial benefits not found in most mortgage types.

These positive attributes are why the Veteran Affairs Home Loan program has become popular over the last couple of years. Millions of critical workers, veterans, and eligible spouses have achieved their homeownership dream despite their low income.

Here are some of the top benefits that come with VA Home Loans:

• Qualified essential members of society are exempted from making down payments while purchasing their homes

• Unlike FHA loans and conventional loans, VA Home Loan programs do not require Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI)

• VA Home Loan program has one of the lowest average fixed rates, which is about 0.5% to 1% less than conventional interest rates

• The department of VA does not enforce set credit score minimums for qualified veterans, active service members, or surviving spouses

• The VA Home Loan program limits what essential members of the community are charged (closing costs) when applying for VA loans

• VA Home Loan program is a lifetime benefit to eligible veterans

• VA loans do not have prepayment penalties for borrowers

• A VA Loan comes with foreclosure avoidance, making it one of the safest home financing options on the market

• Availability of the VA appraisal helps you establish an appraised property value while ensuring that the property meets the minimum requirements

• VA loans are usually based on acceptable income such as basic housing allowance, retirement income, or disability pay

• There are a variety of Veteran Affairs loan types or financing options

• Qualified veterans and active service members with full VA loan entitlement are allowed to borrow as much as they can without necessarily making a down payment

• Some VA loan borrowers are exempted from the funding fee

• There is VA assumability benefit

What are the Top 5 Things To Do in Jackson County, Florida?

As part and parcel of a tristate community, Jackson County borders Alabama and Georgia in the state of Florida. Unlike most counties in this Sunshine State, Jackson County is a predominantly rural agricultural county with a rich historical heritage and unique historical landmarks.

So, if you are a veteran, this county will suit your needs, fit your lifestyle, and meet your social life requirements. Here are the top five things to do in Jackson County:

Swimming and Paddling

Regardless of your age, you can still keep yourself fit through swimming and paddling. Your favorite swimming spot should be the Jackson Blue Springs and other spring-fed rivers and lakes in the area. Alternatively, you can visit Blue Springs Recreational area to showcase your canoeing and paddling skills in a canoe, kayak, or paddleboard.

Go For Fishing

Coincidentally, Jackson County is famous across Florida as an ideal sport fishing destination. If fishing is one of your favorite outdoor activities, Lake Seminole, Merrit's Mill Pond, Ocheesee Pond, and the Apalachicola River have you covered. These places have prime fishing spots with plenty of largemouth bass and bluegill catches. Access your fishing assets and join other anglers to display your fishing skills in any sport fishing area mentioned above.

Try Hunting

Thousands of acres of land and vast natural vegetation provide a perfect ground for licensed hunters to do what they love the most. Join the rest of the hunters and take on the challenge in places such as the Apalachee Wildlife Management Area, Chipola River Wildlife Management Area, Lilypad Adventures, and Bontrager Whitetails to hunt wild dogs, whitetail deer, small game, turkeys, and waterfowl.

Take a Hike

Jackson County's recreational trails provide endless miles of paths and rugged terrain for hikers. You can choose Hinson Conservation & Recreation Area to cover its four-mile trek along Butler Tract and Chipola River banks. Alternatively, you may opt for other parks and trails scattered throughout the county to enjoy a hike alongside other veterans.

Camping

With more than a dozen camping sites in Jackson County, you cannot fail to enjoy this exciting outdoor activity away from home. These campgrounds are fully equipped with settings and amenities that will make your camping worth your time. The best campsites to consider are Three Rivers State Park and Florida Caverns State Park, all located within reach.

Final Thought

The VA Home Loan program is the best option on the market. These loans benefit active service members, veterans, and selected spouses. Their benefits include zero down payment, flexible but reasonable credit guidelines, and the lowest fixed interest rates on the market.

Above all, the VA Home Loan program ensures that essential community members in Jackson County, Florida, make wise financial decisions when buying homes. So, if you have all the qualifications and eligibility for VA loans, this is the time to make a move and change your situation.