California home buyers have it tough. Veterans and active military using VA loans have it especially tough.  That is in no small part due to rising interest rates and home prices. The climb is especially in counties such as San Diego, Sacramento, and San Bernardino. The Van Brady report which publishes a variety of Veteran specific home buying data, including VA purchase transaction volume and the median prices paid by this… Read More

  Share this Image On Your Site </p><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /> <p><strong>Please include attribution to SoCalVaHomes.org with this graphic.</strong></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /> <p><a href=’https://www.socalvahomes.org/2019-mortgage-rate-drop-infographic/’><img src=’https://www.socalvahomes.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/So-Cal-VA-Homes-How-the-Mortgage-Rate-Drop-Will-Affect-the-Housing-Market.jpg’ alt=’How the Mortgage Rate Drop Will Affect the Housing Market’ 540px border=’0′ /></a></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /> <p> The Current Market: Mortgage interest rates are at the lowest… Read More

VA loans aren’t made by the department of the VA but are rather guaranteed by the VA. Below is an updated list of loan limits by county in the state of California. County Name Single Family Home ($0 down and up to) Max Guaranty ALAMEDA $1,050,000.00 $1,000,000 ALPINE $463,450.00 $1,000,000 AMADOR $417,000.00 $1,000,000 BUTTE $417,000.00 $1,000,000 CALAVERAS $417,000.00 $1,000,000 COLUSA $417,000.00 $1,000,000 CONTRA COSTA $1,050,000.00 $1,000,000 DEL NORTE $417,000.00 $1,000,000… Read More

Did you know the VA doesn’t actually make loans? Private lenders do. If a VA loan is approved and meets guidelines set forth by the VA and the lender, the VA will guarantee a portion of the loan. Generally, the VA will guarantee the first 25% of the loan, which is why veterans are not required to put down any money if they don’t want to.  It is possible to… Read More

  The Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act of 2019 is a key piece of legislation that will have a sweeping effect on the VA home loan program for years to come. This act extends benefits to certain Vietnam War Sailors who served between 1962 and 1975 and uses changes in the VA loan program to pay for some of the required measures. The most significant of these changes is… Read More

Many Veterans are interested in how refinancing affects their VA home loan entitlement. We hear questions like, “Do the new VA loan limits apply to me if I refinance?” and “How can I restore my VA loan entitlement by refinancing?” Today we’re going to look at what these new limits are and how they might impact a Veteran’s decision to refinance. Current VA Loan Limits Starting in 2020, the VA… Read More

The VAn Brady Report – San Bernardino Sept 18

VA loan limits have changed as of January 1, 2019. They have increased from previous years, and this is good news! Loan limits matter when thinking about affordability and how much house you can get for your money. Since loan limits have increased from $453,100 to $484,350, Veterans now have 6.9% more to work with wherever they decide to purchase a house. But this is even better news if you… Read More