As a Reservist or member of the National Guard, did you know that you could be eligible for a no down payment VA Loan? If you’re thinking about refinancing or buying a house, maybe you didn’t even realize the VA Loan could be an option for you. Although your role is different than that of a regular military member, you are still eligible to receive VA Loan benefits, with a few different qualifications. Here’s what you need to know.

VA Loan Requirements

The VA Loan was created to help veterans purchase homes, and the U.S. government provides a loan guaranty on it. It is a zero down-payment home loan with more flexibility and lower payments than conventional loans, which require 20% down. The VA Loan is only available to U.S. veterans and current military members — and that includes Reservists and National Guard.

VA Loan requirements for Reservists and National Guard are a bit stricter than those for regular military members. To be eligible for a VA Loan, you have to meet at least one of the following qualifications:

  • Six years in the Selective Reserve or National Guard, and you must have either been honorably discharged, retired, or transferred to the Standby Reserve or an element of the Ready Reserve
  • 90 days of active duty service during a wartime period
  • Discharged or released from active duty service for a service-related disability

VA Funding Fee

When you take out a VA Loan, you will have to pay a funding fee, which goes to the VA to help offset the cost of any loans that end up in default. If you have a service-related disability and are currently receiving disability compensation or are entitled to it, you would not have to pay the funding fee.

Related: Use our VA Loan Calculator to estimate total mortgage payments and VA guaranty fees!

The difference for Reservists and National Guard members is that the funding fee is slightly higher than it is for regular military members. If you take out a VA Loan with zero down, as a regular military member, you’d have to pay 2.15 percent for the first loan and 3.3 percent for any subsequent loans. As a Reservist or National Guard member, your funding fee would be 2.4 percent for the first loan and 3.3 percent for any subsequent loans.

If you have a 5-10 percent down payment, as a regular military member, you’d pay 1.5 percent funding fee for the first and any subsequent loan. With a 10-20 percent down payment, you’d have to pay a 1.25 percent funding fee for the first and any subsequent loan.

With a 5-10 percent down payment, as a Reservist or National Guard member, your funding fee would be 1.75 percent for the first and any subsequent loan. With a 10-20 percent down payment, your funding fee would be 1.5 percent for the first and any subsequent loan.

We, at Riverbank Finance, are grateful for our service members and would like to help you own the home of your dreams or refinance on your current home. To find out whether you are eligible for a VA Loan, contact one of our loan officers at (800) 555-2098 to schedule an appointment.

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