VA Loans
Better Home Loans for VeteransServed your country?
Get a VA home loan.
If you have served your country, Service Credit Union wants to help you get into a home. Veterans Affairs Home Loans are privately issued but government-backed mortgages for active and retired military members—which means they have low or no down payments and lower interest rates, and no monthly mortgage insurance.
Service Credit Union is proud to provide VA loans for our veteran members, with a one-time rate float down option*. That means that if the interest rates for VA loans decrease after you have locked in your rate but before your loan is finalized, you will have the opportunity to request the lower rate.
VA loans are for primary residences only, and your eligibility will depend on your credit score and income.
Search for your home anywhere in the U.S., before your boots hit the ground.
VA Loan Rates**
VA Homebuying Guide
From confirming your VA loan eligibility to what to expect during your closing, get our step-by-step instructions for buying a home with a VA loan.
Long before you start house hunting, you’ll want to put together a budget and calculate short and long-term costs to understand how much home you can afford. Upfront costs may include 0-20% for a down payment, 2-5% for closing costs and $200-600 for inspections. Ongoing costs include monthly mortgage payments, utilities, possible maintenance, and homeowners’ association or condo fees, if applicable.
Ready with a price range, and all your financials in order? A prequalification letter from a mortgage provider will help expedite the homebuying process and let you know how much a financial institution may be willing to lend you. To apply, you’ll need to go through the standard mortgage application process, which includes questions about your income and employment, current debts, assets, and borrowing history.
Your prequalification letter will show how much you can afford to borrow, what your interest rate could be, and an estimate of your monthly payment based on assumed taxes and insurance. You may be able to lock in the rate you’ve been offered for up to several months while you’re shopping for a home, and your prequalification will help your offer stand out against other prospective buyers.
At Service CU, we’ll lock your rate for up to 90 days with no additional fee or rate adjustment.
Ready to apply? Get prequalified now.
How long does the process take?
We routinely process and close mortgage applications within 30 days. For home equity loans and home equity lines of credit, our goal is to close your loan within 10 days. However, there are many variables that determine the length of the process, including how fast you respond to our requests for documentation.
What is your minimum credit score?
For first mortgages, we generally require a score of 620 or higher, although there are some programs, such as VA, that will allow for a lower score. For equity loans and home equity lines of credit, we require a score of 680 or higher.
Do you do loans outside of NH/ME/VT/MA?
Yes, we are a national lender! We do mortgages in all states with the exception of Alaska and Hawaii. Not all programs are available in all states. Construction and land loans are available only in NH, MA and ME.
Will my loan be sold?
While it is possible that your loan will be sold (the standard Fannie Mae promissory note gives the lender the right to sell the loan), it is important to understand that we will still be servicing your loan, with the exception of state housing agency loans. Even if you loan is sold, you will still make your payments to Service Credit Union, with the exception of state housing agency loans which are serviced by the housing agency.
Can I have a co-signer?
Generally, we require a co-borrower vs. a co-signer, although some programs, such as state housing agency loans, do allow a co-signor.
Do you offer bridge loans?
We do not have a specific bridge loan program. However, we may be able to achieve a bridge loan through the use of a home equity line of credit on the house you will be selling. This will depend on the amount of equity you have and your ability to qualify to carry the debt for your existing mortgage (if any), the home equity line of credit, and the mortgage on your new home.
Do you finance mobile homes?
We do not currently offer loans on mobile homes.
Do you finance investment properties?
Yes, up to 4 residential units. Not all programs/products are eligible. Title must not be in name of a corporation or LLC.
*Qualified VA loan applications are offered one rate float-down free of charge. To qualify the VA application must have an existing rate lock and choose to utilize the float down option to move to a currently available lower rate. Only one float down option permitted per application. Rate float-down must be initiated more than 10 days prior to closing. Standard rate lock rules apply. See representative for additional details.
**The displayed rates for conventional loans assume a loan amount of $250,000 for a single-family, owner-occupied purchase transaction with a down payment of 40% and a credit score of 740 or higher. VA rates assume a loan amount of $250,000 and no down payment. Conventional jumbo loans assume a loan amount of $726,200 and a 40% down payment. VA jumbo assumes a loan amount of $726,200 with no down payment. Payment examples can be obtained by clicking the calculate payments button above and do not include taxes or insurance premiums. Payment obligation will be higher. Appraisal rebate of up to $695 will be applied for purchase loans only. A purchase loan is the financing connected to the purchase of a property involving the transfer of title from seller(s) to buyer(s). Applicant(s) will be required to pay estimated cost of the appraisal up front. Rebate will be applied as a credit at closing towards the total amount paid for the appraisal associated. Credit will not exceed amount paid and cannot be transferred or exchanged for cash equivalent. Subject to change or be discontinued at any time.