How To Improve Your Chances Of Getting A VA Loan In 2023
A VA loan is a valuable benefit for service members, veterans, and their families, offering competitive interest rates, no down payment requirements, and no private mortgage insurance (PMI). However, qualifying for this benefit can often seem like an uphill battle.
Here are ten actionable steps to improve your chances of securing a VA loan in 2023.
1. Build A Strong Credit History
The first step in securing a VA loan starts with your credit history.
While VA loans are more forgiving than conventional loans, lenders still look at your credit score to determine your ability to repay the loan. Agencies such as 1st United Mortgage will use this information to decide whether or not to approve your loan application.
To build a strong credit history, ensure you pay all your bills on time, keep your credit card balances low, and be mindful not to apply for too much new credit at once. Reviewing your credit reports regularly can also help you identify any errors that might be dragging your score down.
2. Demonstrate Stable Employment
While VA loans don’t require a specific income level, lenders want to see that you have a reliable income. Demonstrating stable employment or a consistent income source improves your chances of approval. In general, lenders prefer borrowers who’ve been in the same job or industry for at least two years.
3. Keep Your Debt-To-Income Ratio Low
Your debt-to-income (DTI) ratio is another crucial factor lenders consider when assessing your loan application.
This ratio is the percentage of your gross monthly income that goes toward paying debts. The lower this ratio, the better your chances of approval. Aim for a DTI ratio under 41% to increase your chances of getting approved for a VA loan.
4. Save For Closing Costs And Funding Fees
Although VA loans do not require a down payment, there are still closing costs and funding fees associated with securing the loan. While it’s possible for the seller to pay some of these costs, it’s not guaranteed. Therefore, saving up to cover these expenses can smoothen the loan acquisition process.
5. Get A Certificate Of Eligibility
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Before you apply for a VA loan, ensure you have a Certificate of Eligibility (COE).
The COE verifies lenders that you meet the minimum service requirements for a VA loan. It’s possible to apply for a VA loan without a COE, but having one can speed up the process and improve your chances of approval.
6. Work With A VA-Experienced Real Estate Agent
Working with a real estate agent experienced in VA loans can be a game-changer. These agents understand the VA loan process and can help navigate the intricacies of the loan, including helping you find a VA-compliant property.
7. Understand Your VA Entitlement
Your VA entitlement is the amount that the Department of Veterans Affairs guarantees on your home loan.
While you don’t need to use your entire entitlement, understanding how much you’re entitled to can help guide your home shopping process and influence your loan approval chances. You can find this information on your Certificate of Eligibility.
8. Choose A VA-Approved Lender
Not all lenders can issue VA loans, so it’s crucial to ensure that your chosen lender is VA-approved. These lenders understand the VA loan process thoroughly and can guide you through the steps required to secure the loan.
Working with a VA-approved lender will likely improve your loan approval chances and the overall borrowing experience.
9. Avoid Major Purchases Before Applying
Lenders examine your entire financial picture when deciding whether or not to approve your VA loan. That includes checking for recent large purchases that could impact your ability to repay the loan.
Avoid buying expensive items like a new car or large appliances before applying for your loan, as these can affect your debt-to-income ratio and potentially hinder your approval chances.
10. Take Advantage Of VA Loan Education Resources
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The VA provides a wealth of resources to help veterans understand the loan process. Take time to educate yourself on the ins and outs of VA loans.
Knowledge is power, and understanding the specifics of VA loans can help you navigate the process and improve your chances of securing the loan.
In Conclusion
Securing a VA loan may seem daunting, but it doesn’t have to be. By building a strong credit history, demonstrating stable employment, keeping your DTI ratio low, saving for closing costs and funding fees, obtaining a COE, and working with a VA-experienced real estate agent, you can significantly improve your chances of securing a VA loan in 2023.
Remember, a VA loan is not just a privilege; it’s a benefit you’ve earned through service. By understanding the VA loan process and preparing accordingly, you’ll be well on your way to homeownership.
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As of 2021, the most common payment method out of all the fraud reports in the US was credit cards. In 2020, when the world was battling COVID-19, there were a total of 459,297 cases of such fraud. Most of these fraud victims were between the ages of 30 and 39, the target demographic for credit card issuers. As a result, theft by credit card fraud increased by almost 45% compared to 2019. Credit card fraud is one of the biggest threats today’s eCommerce industry faces. No one’s bank account is entirely safe from these perils, from credit card theft to credit card data breaches. A card issuer does their best to stop offline and online transactions from a stolen credit card whenever they suspect fraud. It’s also possible to recover funds from credit card fraud via a funds recovery company. These companies can easily back you up as long as you have sufficient evidence. However, you to be vigilant as well regarding this issue. So, here are a few things you can do to avoid credit card fraud. Never Save Your Credit Card Details In 2021, Google sent millions of users a chilling email when it told them their passwords had been compromised. The data breach exposed millions of users’ saved login and payment credentials. You often save your credit card information on various websites. The purpose is that you don’t have to re-enter the same details the next time you want to buy something from them. However, hackers can access your information when they manage to breach the website’s security measures. As a result, your credit card information is no longer safe. It might already be too late by the time you get to know it. Scan Your Computer and Phone for Virus and Malware The number of online transactions reaches the million mark almost every day. Most of these are credit card transactions, where people are buying stuff online. Since you’re either using your mobile or PC for this, you must make sure no one is snooping on you and your credit card information. Scan your PC and smartphone for viruses and malware. Hackers and scammers can access confidential information on your devices by planting a backdoor. At the same time, you should be careful while installing third-party software on your devices. Read : What Is Stockinvest? Is It Legit And Working In 2022? Use Stronger and More Secure Security Measures Not saving your login credentials and credit card information will go a long way in protecting you from fraud. However, you can still do more to protect yourself from credit card fraud. Using a secure password should be your priority. Use a mix of alphabets, symbols, and special characters to compose the password. Never use guessable passwords like your birthdate or pet name. Look into other ways of securing your devices. Biometric authentication is a highly efficient way of doing so. 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With the help of the debt service coverage ratio (DSCR), one can calculate the ability of a company to manage its current debt obligations by making use of the available resources. By calculating the ratio, the stakeholders of the company can evaluate the financial state of the company. This can give an idea of whether the company is capable enough to repay its outstanding short-term and long-term debts. In this article, you will learn some of the general details about the debt service coverage ratio and the formula to calculate this ratio. Apart from that, you will also get an idea of how to calculate this ratio in a business situation, that is, having a knowledge of how to work. Finally, we will check the pros and cons of the debt service coverage ratio. Hence, to learn more, read on through to the end of the article. What Is The Debt Service Coverage Ratio (DSCR)? 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Or, if you are a lender, you will be able to decide whether to approve a particular company’s loan or not, provided the company’s current availability of resources. The higher the ratio for the company, the better the chances are for the company to get more loans, credits, and investments. Read More: Entrepreneur : Who Coined The Term ‘Entrepreneur’? What Is The Formula Of Debt Service Coverage Ratio (DSCR)? By determining the debt service coverage ratio of a company, you will be able to learn the financial health of the company. If the company has a lower ratio, it means that the company has a higher chance of defaulting on payments. According to Indeed.com, “To understand a company's financial health, a financial analyst compares it with other companies operating in the same industry. Comparing the DSCR ratio of an airline company, which uses larger debts, with a software company, which uses minimum debt and more equity financing, is inappropriate because both companies have different debt structures.” Here is the formula for the debt service coverage ratio (DSCR): Debt Service Coverage Ratio = Net Operating Income / Total Debt Service Here, Net Operating Income = Total Revenue - Certain Operating Expenses and Total Debt Service = Interest + Principal Payments + Lease Payments How Does The DSCR Work And What Are Its Uses? According to Investopedia, “The debt-service coverage ratio is a widely used indicator of a company's financial health, especially those who are highly leveraged with debt. Debt service refers to the cash needed to pay the required principal and interest of a loan during a given period. The ratio compares a company's total debt obligations to its operating income.” For a company to get loans, there is a minimum level the company must be able to match. Various lenders, stakeholders, and partners target the debt service coverage ratio metrics of the company, as well as terms and minimums related to it, before approving a loan. When it comes to corporate finance, the debt service coverage ratio of a company shows its ability to pay its debt. This value is really helpful for lenders and investors. On the other hand, when it comes to personal finance, the debt service coverage ratio helps the bank to find out its interest rate. In typical cases, banks, lenders, and financial institutions prefer a higher debt service coverage ratio for a company. Having a higher DSCR shows that the company has sufficient funds to pay off its debt obligations and the company can make payments faster. Pros And Cons Of The Debt Service Coverage Ratio (DSCR) The following are some of the major pros and cons of the debt service coverage ratio for determining the loan payoff ability of a company: Pros Of Debt Service Coverage Ratio Here are some of the major pros of the debt service coverage ratio formula: Monthly calculation of the debt service coverage ratio helps a company evaluate its average trend over some time and predict future ratios. It helps in budgeting and strategic planning. It helps in comparing and assessing the company in regard to its competitors. It helps to better assess the long-term financial health of the company. A truer representation of the operations of a company, as compared to other ratios. Cons Of Debt Service Coverage Ratio Here are a few cons of the debt service coverage ratio formula: Using operating income to calculate the debt service coverage ratio can overstate the company’s income since not all expenses are shown. With accrual-based accounting guidance, the debt service coverage ratio is partially calculated. Read More: What Is a Franchise, And How Does It Work? – Examples, Benefits & More Bottom Line Hope this article was helpful for you in getting a better idea of how the debt service coverage ratio (DSCR) works and how to calculate it using the formula. It basically shows you whether a given company has enough income or cash flow to pay its current debt obligations. This can give an idea to lenders and investors about a company’s ability to pay back loans. You can also find out the debt service coverage ratio by calculating the net operating income of the company and comparing it with the debt service, including principal and interest. Do you have any more suggestions on how to use this ratio to evaluate a business? Share your ideas and opinions with us in the comments section below. 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