Your Guide to VA Home Loan Benefits
Whether you’re a veteran, active-duty service member, or military family, get expert guidance from eligibility to closing and make the most of your VA benefits.
Meet The VA Loan Boss
Mark Clark is a civilian benefit and certified VA loan specialist . VA loans are incredibly powerful but also widely misunderstood. His job is to cut through bad advice, explain the rules clearly, and make sure veterans and active-duty service members actually receive the full benefit they’ve earned.Mark is known as the Veteran Mortgage Wingman here to serve, advocate, and help VA buyers avoid costly mistakes from contract to closing and beyond.
Whether you're a veteran purchasing your 3rd home on your VA benefit or PCSing and a first-time homebuyer, our team has you covered.
Education is central to how Mark does that, including teaching VA-focused classes for real estate professionals so VA buyers are better represented throughout the transaction.Outside of work, Mark is married, a proud father of six, and loves to play racquetball and pickleball.
Mark also serves as the the Board Chair for Genesis Joy House, Georgia’s only all-women Veteran homeless shelter because serving those who served doesn’t stop at the closing table.
The Home Loan Process
Mortgage Pre-Approval
Get pre-approved from one of our Loan Officers to see how much you can afford.
House Shopping
Work with a trusted Real Estate Agent to find a home you would like to move into.
Loan Application
Complete your home loan application to get the lending process started.
Don't take my word for it
Mortgage Programs
Experience the best mortgage experience located in Braselton, Georgia.
Home Loan Options
Our experienced mortgage advisors will walk you through the best mortgage loan program that will fit your specific scenario.
Conventional Home Loans.
FHA Home Loans.
USDA Home Loans.
VA Home Loans.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often can I refinance my mortgage?
There is no limit to the number of times you can refinance. However, you must qualify every time you apply and there will be costs associated with closing the loan each time.
Can I buy a home if I do not have money for a down payment?
Yes! There are a number of bond programs that offer low or no down payment financing options.
How do I know which mortgage is right for me?
The key to choosing the right mortgage is to understand the range of options and features available to you, as well as your budget, circumstances, and goals. Our licensed mortgage professionals are here to help you navigate that process. The more you know, the more comfortable and confident you will be choosing the best option for you and your family.
How long will the loan process take?
The Truth in Lending Act (TILA) does not permit a lender to close a loan until at least seven (7) business days have passed from the date your application was received. A typical home loan takes 30 days, as a number of third-party services such as appraisals, title work, and credit are required in conjunction with the mortgage process. Once you familiarize your Loan Officer with the details of your specific loan scenario, they will be able to provide you with a more specific timeline.
Will I qualify for a home loan?
The only way to find out is to speak with a qualified mortgage professional. Our Loan Officers have helped numerous clients who didn’t know if they could qualify to become home owners. We take the time to understand your financial situation and long-term financial goals, and then match you with the loan program that best fits your needs. Your approval for a loan may also largely depend on the price of the home you are financing. Getting pre-qualified prior to beginning your home search can give you an idea of what you may be able to afford.
Why do people refinance their mortgages?
Homeowners typically refinance to save money, either by obtaining a lower interest rate or by reducing the term of their loan. Refinancing is also a way to convert an adjustable loan to a fixed loan or to consolidate debts.
How much money will I have to pay upfront to buy a home?
This question does not have a simple, one-size-fits-all answer. The exact amount will depend on the price of the home you buy as well the type of mortgage financing you choose. Depending on your loan program, your down payment could be as much as 20% of the home’s price or as little as 3%, while some loans require no down payment at all.
Can I get a mortgage after bankruptcy?
You may still qualify for a home loan even if you have experienced a bankruptcy. The best way to find out if you qualify is to talk with a Loan Officer to discuss your options. Be sure to bring all paperwork regarding your bankruptcy so your Loan Officer can find the program that best fits your situation.
Should I lock my interest rate now, or wait until we are closer to our closing?
Interest rates fluctuate all day, every day. If an interest rate is good, it may be in your best interest to lock now. If you wait, you run the risk of an increase in rates later. If you are concerned that rates may go down after you lock, contact your Loan Officer to discuss your options. Some programs allow you to lock for an extended period and choose to lower your rate should a better one become available.
Most Recent Blog Updates
Stop Waiting Until You Are Ready to Talk to a Mortgage Specialist Because That Approach Is Costing You
The Timing Mistake That Quietly Kills More Home Purchases Than Any Market Condition
Thinking about buying a home? The instinct most people follow is to wait until they feel ready before talking to a mortgage specialist. Get the finances in better shape first. Save a little more. Get everything lined up. Then make the call.
That instinct is costing people their shot at buying the home they want and Mark Clark wants to explain exactly why.
Why Waiting Until You Are Ready Is the Wrong Strategy
The biggest mistake buyers make is waiting until they are ready to put in an offer before having the mortgage conversation. By that point it is frequently too late to do anything about the problems that show up.
Credit issues take time to resolve. A collection that needs to be addressed, a utilization ratio that needs to come down, a derogatory item that needs to be disputed or waited out. None of those things can be fixed in a week when you have found the home you want and the seller wants an offer by Friday. They can absolutely be fixed over six months or a year when you have started the process early enough to give the solutions time to work.
Financing hurdles work the same way. A self-employment income documentation issue that requires a full tax year to document properly. A debt-to-income ratio that needs a specific account paid down before the numbers work. An employment gap that needs a certain timeline of history behind it. All of these are solvable problems given adequate runway and nearly impossible problems when the offer deadline is tomorrow.
What Starting Early Actually Produces
When you come to Mark Clark early in the process the conversation is a planning conversation rather than a damage assessment. The credit report gets reviewed when there is still time to act on what it shows. The income and asset picture gets evaluated when adjustments can still be made. The financing strategy gets built around where you want to be rather than scrambled together around where you currently are.
The buyers who arrive at the offer stage ready to move with confidence are almost always the ones who had the mortgage conversation months or years before they were actually ready to buy. The pre-approval they hold when the right home appears is the product of preparation that started long before anyone expected to be shopping.
Who This Is For
If you think you are months away from being ready to buy this is the exact right time to reach out. If you think you are years away this is still the right time to reach out. The earlier the conversation happens the more options exist for getting you where you need to be before the moment matters.
Do not let a fixable problem become an unfixable one by waiting too long to surface it. Reach out to Mark Clark now even if buying feels far away and start building the plan that makes it possible when the time comes.
Sources
ConsumerFinancialProtectionBureau.gov
MyFICO.com
MortgageNewsDaily.com
FannieMae.com
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