<\/i><\/b>(boot)<\/span><\/h2>\n
VA Loans, By The Numbers. You will learn, I will teach you!<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”Primary Residence Mortgages” _builder_version=”4.23″ text_font=”Open Sans||||||||” text_font_size=”19px” text_line_height=”32px” header_2_font=”Roboto Condensed||||||||” header_2_line_height=”1.2em” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n The <\/span>number one<\/i><\/b> thing any service member or veteran needs to know about VA loans is that every single mortgage professional I\u2019ve met that\u2019s eligible for a VA loan, uses the VA loan.\u00a0 Hands down, it\u2019s the best mortgage program there is, as evidenced by the fact that those that do mortgage for a living, that are eligible for a VA loan, consistently use the VA loan themselves. VA loans are also my personal favorite mortgages to originate, as a mortgage loan officer. This remains true even if you have a down payment \u2013 20% down with a VA loan will be a better deal, 9 times out of 10, than 20% down with a conventional loan.<\/span><\/p>\n The <\/span>number two<\/i><\/b> thing is that no one is going to do VA loans better than a fellow veteran. Here\u2019s my old resume from my time with Uncle Sam\u2019s Misguided Children:\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The <\/span>number three<\/i><\/b> thing it would behoooooove you to know is that the first step to homeownership is mortgage preapproval, which is free, and does not require a hard credit check. Please <\/span>click here to schedule a free consultation<\/span><\/a>, or <\/span>click here to skip directly to the necessary paperwork<\/span><\/a> on our secure server – In either case, I promise that I will respond faster than the VA disability claims system.<\/span><\/p>\n The <\/span>number four<\/i><\/b> thing veterans need to know about VA loans is that companies that \u201cspecialize\u201d primarily in VA loans, often with a hyper-veteran-focused company name, are analogous to the car dealership right outside the base gates that \u201cspecializes\u201d in financing new Dodge Chargers and F-150s for terminal E-3s and E-4s with terrible financing and junk fees. Watch out! The VA loan program has a legal fees limit, and most of these firms max it out to exactly that limit on every transaction.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The <\/span>number five<\/i><\/b> thing to know is that proper planning prevents poor performance. In order to take advantage of the 0% down benefit of the VA loan, you must first <\/span>legally wed<\/span><\/i> the thicc exotic dancer that you \u201cfell in love with\u201d last Tuesday at 1:42 AM right before \u201clast call.\u201d Otherwise, the down payment required will be <\/span>12\/5<\/span><\/span> 12.5%. Oakland to Reno is 4 hours, San Diego to Vegas is 5.5 hours, and Sacramento to Reno is only 2.5 hours.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The <\/span>number six<\/i><\/b> thing to know is that the one and only potential downside of VA loans is the VA funding fee, which is charged by the Department of Veterans Affairs. You will note from my resume above that I\u2019m good at dodging bullets and IEDs, but that means I personally <\/span>don\u2019t<\/span><\/i> get to dodge the VA funding fee (nonetheless, it\u2019s still the best mortgage available even with that fee). If you have a Purple Heart, or receive VA disability benefits (with <\/span>or without<\/span><\/i> the Purple Heart), then you likely will not have to pay the funding fee. Your VA loan certificate of eligibility will note if you are funding fee exempt, you can obtain that document <\/span>here<\/span><\/a> or <\/span>here<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n The <\/span>number seven<\/i><\/b> thing worth noting about VA loans is that, as of a few years ago, there are effectively no size limits with 0% down for folks using their VA loan benefit for the first time. Assuming your income supports it, you can buy a $2m house with 0% down. The old rule stating that \u201cjust because you <\/span>can<\/span><\/i>, doesn\u2019t necessarily mean you <\/span>should<\/span><\/i>\u201d applies here.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The <\/span>number eight<\/i><\/b> item to know is that the VA will not let you buy a severe \u201cfixer upper\u201d with a VA loan. VA loans are for properties that are more-or-less turnkey move-in ready that show no evidence of active termite or pest infestation. Oddly enough the Marine Corps, in my experience, had zero qualms about such things when it came to the barracks, but that\u2019s another rant for another day. If you want to go over this in more detail, please <\/span>schedule a free consultation<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Your <\/span>Ninth General Order of Using the VA Loan<\/i><\/b> is that if you encounter a Realtor that is a negative nancy about you using your VA loan benefit here in the fine state of California, or in \u201cthis market,\u201d please terminate them immediately and with extreme prejudice. If you\u2019re active duty Space Force, please deploy the orbitally launched nuclear weapons that most certainly do not exist. If they say you have no \u201cskin in the game\u201d with 0% down, tell them it\u2019s time to play ISIS, and throw them off of the roof of the next split-level house they show you (please do not actually do that). Not only your skin, but your blood and tears as well, have very much been \u201cin the game,\u201d your down payment isn\u2019t a dollar amount or a percentage, it\u2019s your years of service that guaranteed them the right to question your \u201cskin in the game\u201d to begin with. Bottom line: Find a new Realtor the moment you get any pushback about using the VA loan in California. If you need a good connection, please <\/span>schedule that free consultation<\/span><\/a>, and we will connect you to a competent Realtor, in your area, that does <\/span>not <\/span><\/i>hate America and freedom.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Item <\/span>number ten <\/i><\/b>to be aware of with the VA loan is that it\u2019s available to all branches of the \u201cUniformed Services\u201d of the United States. This of course includes the Army, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, and Marine Corps. In addition, it includes the Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Commissioned Officer Corps, and even Starfleet! <\/span>Plot a course for a free consultation, Guardians and oceanographers (???), and engage at Warp 9!<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n Fact <\/span>number eleven <\/i><\/b>is in regards to your FICO score. That used Mustang at a 24% interest rate you got as an E-4 didn\u2019t do your FICO score any favors, and you missed a payment on that engagement ring you purchased right after recruit training? Not necessarily a problem with the VA loan. For non-VA loans, you need to have your credit dialed in like it\u2019s iron sights at the 500 yard line (…not that you GenZ vets would know anything about that), but for a VA loan, your credit score is more like hand grenades: if it starts with a 6, that\u2019s close enough, and you\u2019re good to go and will get a great interest rate. TYFYS.<\/span><\/p>\n #12: Marines can\u2019t count.<\/strong> When I went to carry the one, the crayon obfuscated it.<\/p>\n Admin note: We offer VA 0% down one-time close ground-up new construction loans for custom-built dream homes, for both \u201cnormal\u201d sized loan amounts, as well as \u201cjumbo.\u201d Aside from the down payment, <\/span>this is accurate<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_button button_url=”https:\/\/www.eastbaysmortgagebroker.com\/contact\/” button_text=”Schedule A Free 15 Minute Consultation” button_alignment=”center” admin_label=”Button: Schedule 15 Minute Consultation” _builder_version=”4.23″ _module_preset=”default” custom_button=”on” button_text_color=”#FFFFFF” button_bg_color=”#0C71C3″ custom_margin=”30px||60px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_button][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”Meet Chris Mason Section” _builder_version=”4.16″ locked=”off” collapsed=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ background_color=”#87082a” width=”100%” module_alignment=”center” custom_padding=”20px|20px|20px|20px|false|false” border_width_bottom=”1px” border_color_bottom=”#87082a” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text admin_label=”About Chris Mason” _builder_version=”4.16″ text_font=”Alatsi||||||||” text_text_color=”#ffffff” text_font_size=”26px” text_orientation=”center” global_colors_info=”{}”]\u25e6 MEET CHRIS MASON \u25e6[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”2_3,1_3″ make_equal=”on” _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”||1px|||” custom_css_main_element=”display: flex;||flex-wrap: wrap;” collapsed=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”2_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_css_main_element=”margin-top: auto;||margin-bottom: auto;” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_css_main_element_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_css_main_element_phone=”order: 2;||margin-top: auto;||margin-bottom: auto;” custom_css_main_element_tablet=”margin-top: auto;||margin-bottom: auto;”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Chris Mason Bio” _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”]Chris Mason, loan officer at America’s Home Loans, has built a solid local reputation helping first time homebuyers, refinancers, and real estate investors obtain optimal and fast mortgage financing to help them accomplish their goals .<\/p>\n He prides himself on offering unparalleled support and treating every client like an INDIVIDUAL and not a NUMBER.<\/p>\n Chris joined the Marines at the age of 17 where he then served over eight years, including as an infantryman in the First Battle of Fallujah. He retired as a Sergeant of Marines and then attended U.C. Berkeley where he graduated with honors with a degree in Business Administration. From there, Chris started his career in the mortgage industry working for larger lending institutions. He opened the El Cerrito branch of America’s Home Loans in 2014 so that he could provide the type of client service he felt was missing from bigger lending institutions. <\/p>\n Chris believes in the American Dream and derives great satisfaction from putting first-time homebuyer families into their first homes and first time investors on a pathway towards financial freedom.[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/www.eastbaysmortgagebroker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Chris-Mason-480.jpg” admin_label=”Image: Chris Mason” _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_margin=”||0px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text admin_label=”Chris Mason, Founder” _builder_version=”4.16″ text_orientation=”right” custom_margin=”5px||||false|false” custom_margin_tablet=”” custom_margin_phone=”||20px||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Chris Mason, Loan Officer [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”Global CTA (Footer)” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_color=”#0b2302″ custom_padding=”50px||20px||false|false” saved_tabs=”all” collapsed=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ background_color=”RGBA(0,0,0,0)” width=”100%” module_alignment=”center” custom_padding=”||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” header_2_text_color=”#FFFFFF” background_color=”RGBA(0,0,0,0)” custom_margin=”||0px|||” custom_padding=”||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_cta button_url=”\/contact\/” button_text=”Get Started” admin_label=”Call To Action” _builder_version=”4.16.0″ background_color=”#0b2302″ custom_button=”on” button_text_size=”24px” button_text_color=”#ffffff” button_bg_color=”#87082a” button_border_width=”0px” button_icon=”||divi||400″ button_on_hover=”off” custom_margin=”0px||||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||||false|false” button_text_size_tablet=”” button_text_size_phone=”20px” button_text_size_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_css_main_element=”padding-top:100px;||padding-bottom:100px;” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
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NMLS 1220177 | CA DRE 02080854
Chris@eastbaysmortgagebroker.
<\/span>(415) 846-9211
<\/u><\/u><\/span>Schedule A Call<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nReady for the best mortgage experience of your life?<\/h2>\n