If you’re a veteran looking to buy a home, chances are you’re eligible for a VA loan from the US Department of Veterans Affairs. The following are the important steps you need to follow when buying a VA-approved condo:
Find a condo that meets VA requirements
One of the first steps you need to follow when buying a VA-approved condo is to find one that meets all the requirements of the US Department of Veterans Affairs. Some of the basic requirements you should look out for include heating and cooling systems, hot water systems, sufficient clean water supply, and proper sewage disposal systems.
If there are any issues with meeting these requirements, they need to be fixed before your VA loan is approved. If the condo you’re going for doesn’t meet these requirements, it means that it won’t get financing from the VA.
Search for VA approved condos
Once you’ve understood all the basic requirements for a condo mortgage loan, you need to use the US Department of Veterans Affairs website to search for the VA-approved condos that might be in your neighborhood.
This website allows you to search for condos in a specific city or town of your choice. You can also search the name of a particular condo, and you’ll get feedback on whether it is VA approved or not.
Find a reliable real estate agent
Once you’ve found a list of all the VA-approved condos in your neighborhood or preferred location, it is time to look for a reliable real estate agent. You need to find someone with good reviews and impeccable sales records.
It is important to get a real estate agent because they can always use their local Multiple Listing Services (MLS), which will help you broaden your list of VA-approved condos.
Get a Certificate of Eligibility (COE)
To get a VA mortgage loan from the US Department of Veteran Affairs, you’ll need to have a Certificate of Eligibility. This is the certificate that verifies that you qualify for a VA-approved condo loan.
To get the Certificate of Eligibility, you need to visit the VA website and begin the process. It’s important to note that you can also obtain your Certificate of Eligibility through your lender. This is because they usually have access to the Web LGY system.
Find out about your credit score to get pre-approved for a VA loan
It’s very important that you find out your credit score to determine whether you qualify for a VA mortgage loan or not. After finding out your credit score, you might be asking yourself, how much house can I afford with a VA loan?
Don’t worry about this because a specialist will be in touch with you and answer all the financial questions you might be having about the VA loan.
Start searching for the VA approved condos for sale
After everything is in order, it’s time to begin actively looking for VA-approved condos for sale. In this step, you need to figure out the home features that are important to you.
After picking out the ideal condo, it’s important to have a home inspection done to ensure that all the features and appliances are in good condition. If they’re not, you can always replace them or even carry out a home improvement project.
Make an offer and sign the contract
After picking out the ideal condo, it’s time to make an informed offer for it. You can also bargain for it based on the prevailing market conditions. If an agreement is reached on the offer for the condo, your realtor will go ahead and draft an offer to buy the condo.
During this stage, you can get a real estate lawyer involved to ensure that you get a clear title for the house. Afterward, in the presence of your lawyer, you can now sign the purchase and mortgage documents. After this is done, you can now receive the keys to your condo.
Summing up
Buying a VA-approved condo can be a tricky process to navigate. However, following the above steps will smoothen the process for you, and you’re likely to land a better deal faster than you anticipated.
Author: STEVE