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
VA Loan Rule Change Makes It Easier to Qualify and Here Is What Veterans With Collections Need to Know
Breaking News From the VA That Could Change the Outcome for Veterans Who Were Previously Declined
The VA has just announced a rule change that will allow more VA buyers to qualify for a home purchase and if you have a collection on your credit bureau that previously knocked you out of qualification this update is worth paying close attention to.
What Changed and Why It Matters
Under the previous guidelines if you had an unpaid collection on your credit report and it did not show a required monthly payment lenders were required to calculate an assumed payment of five percent of the outstanding balance and count that against your debt-to-income ratio.
On a six thousand dollar collection that meant three hundred dollars per month was being counted as a debt obligation even if you were not actively making any payment on that collection. That three hundred dollars was working against your qualification just like a car payment or a credit card minimum would.
Under the new VA guidelines lenders are now permitted to divide that calculated payment by twelve. On the same six thousand dollar collection the assumed monthly obligation drops from three hundred dollars to twenty-five dollars per month.
That is a significant change. The difference between three hundred dollars and twenty-five dollars applied to your debt-to-income ratio can be the difference between qualifying and not qualifying, between getting approved at a comfortable payment and getting approved at a stretched one, or between a purchase that works financially and one that does not.
Who This Specifically Helps
Veterans who have previously been told they did not qualify for a VA loan because of collection accounts should revisit that conversation. The calculation that knocked you out of qualification may have just changed in your favor.
Veterans who have been hesitant to apply because they knew they had collections on their credit report and assumed that meant a denial should now have that conversation with a lender who works with VA loans daily and understands how the new guidelines are being applied.
As Mark Clark explains the change is designed specifically to allow more VA buyers to access the benefit they earned through their service rather than being blocked by a debt calculation that was working against them more heavily than the underlying obligation actually warranted.
What to Do Right Now
If you have questions about how this rule change affects your specific situation reach out to Mark Clark directly. If you previously tried to purchase with a VA home loan and were not successful because of collection accounts the outcome may be different today under the updated guidelines.
The benefit you earned through your service deserves a fresh look with the rules that are actually in effect right now.
Sources
VA.gov
MilitaryOneSource.mil
MortgageNewsDaily.com
ConsumerFinancialProtectionBureau.gov
Investopedia.com
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