What Can you Qualify for on a Home Loan |Hawaii VA Loans | VA Home Buying Made Easy

oa What Can you Qualify for on a Home Loan |Hawaii VA Loans | VA Home Buying Made Easy

What Can you Qualify for on a Home Loan

Having great income doesn't necessarily mean you can qualify for a big loan amount. Jim Owens explains how you can determine the loan amount you can qualify for based on your income, monthly debt obligations and factoring in the acceptable debt-to-income ratio.

10 videosVA Loan Videos

The VA Funding Fee

One item unique to the VA Loan Program is the VA Funding Fee payment required by the Veteran. Find out what it is, how much it costs and how you can get exempt from having to pay this fee.

Reduced Closing Costs on VA Loans

One of the top benefits of the VA Loan program is reduced closing costs for the home buyer. On average, the Veteran can save between $1500-$2000 on closing costs when using a VA Loan.

Renting vs. Buying Using a VA Loan

One of the constant barriers to become a homeowner is the lack of savings in a buyers bank account. Often times the prospective home buyer is relegated to renting because they feel it is cheaper upfront to rent than it is to buy.

The VA Home Buying Process – Part 1

Trying to purchase a home using your VA benefits and don’t know where to start? You’re in luck. This video will walk you through the steps of obtaining your certificate of eligibility from the VA, getting pre-approved with a VA lender, finding a property and getting your offer accepted.

5 Potential Pitfalls to Avoid When Doing a VA Loan

We've learned some hard lessons when using the VA Loan Program, so that you don't have to. Loan Specialists, Jim Owens, and Gabe Amey share 5 potential pitfalls that you want to avoid on a VA Loan.

The VA Home Buying Process – Part 2

Trying to purchase a home using your VA benefits and don’t know where to start? Part 2 of this this video series will walk you through the steps of what the process entails once you actually get your offer accepted.

VA Condo Eligibility

In this video, Gabe and Tee discuss the best method to see if a particular condo is eligible for VA financing. In addition, they also touch on what the process is to try and get a condo eligible for VA financing.

VA Streamline Refinance

If you currently have a VA loan, the refinance process is usually cheaper, faster and easier than a traditional refinance. Hawaii VA Loans Specialist, Tee Iwaishi talks about the benefits of a VA Streamline Refinance.

Whose Income Can Be Used on a VA Loan

Can a Veteran use the income of a non-spouse to qualify on a VA Loans? Jim and Gabe give the skinny.

Why Choose a VA Loan

Lead about all the benefits in choosing a VA loan.

24 videosMortgage & Real Estate Videos

3 Options When Your Appraised Value is Low

Learn about 3 options you have when your appraisal value is low.

3 Tips for Selling Your Home as a Short Sale

Thinking about selling your home as a Short Sell? Before you do, find out the potential consequences you may face from Attilio Leonardi, a Short Sell expert with Remax Honolulu.

3 Tips on How to Save Money on Closing Costs

Who doesn't want to save money on closing costs? The next time you purchase a home, follow these 3 steps to get your closing costs as low as possible.

Which Loan Program is Best for You

With so many loan programs out there, how do you know which one is best for you? In this video, we break down the benefits and drawbacks that come with the 4 main loan programs available today; VA, FHA, Conventional & USDA.

What’s in a Homeowners’ Insurance Policy

Do you even know what you're paying for when getting a Homeowners' Insurance policy? You should because your lender will require it. Ryan Thornton, with Insurance Associates, educates us about the details of what's included in a homeowners' insurance policy.

What is Title Insurance

Aaron Tangonan, with Fidelity National Title defines title insurance explains what Title Insurance is as well as three ways to save money on this mandatory closing cost.

What is Prepaid Interest

Prepaid Interest is one of the fees lumped into your closing costs. Find out what exactly prepaid interest is and how it is calculated.

What is Escrow

Ever wondered what the term "Escrow" meant? Lydia Presbitero of Old Republic Title & Escrow explains that escrow is a neutral third party that is responsible for collecting the documentation to transfer a title from seller to buyer (a very important part of the purchase transaction).

What is a Pholtovotaic System

Sid Villaflor, with Hawaiian Island Solar explains what a Photovoltaic (PV) System is and explains the benefits and potential cost savings installing one on your home can provide.

What Determines Your Interest Rate

There are many factors that go into determining your interest rate; current interest rate market, the type of loan program you choose, down payment/credit score, and the paying of discount points determine your the rate you can lock on your next home loan.

What Determines Your Credit Score

This three-digit number has a big impact on everyone. Gabe Amey explains what goes into determining your FICO score.

What Can you Qualify for on a Home Loan

Having great income doesn't necessarily mean you can qualify for a big loan amount. Jim Owens explains how you can determine the loan amount you can qualify for based on your income, monthly debt obligations and factoring in the acceptable debt-to-income ratio.

What are Escrow Impounds

When purchasing a home, you must also factor in the costs of property taxes and homeowners' insurance. The Lender will require you to include these additional costs into the monthly payment via an Escrow Impound account. An Escrow Impound account is basically a way for the lender to break up large bills in to smaller monthly payments.

Tips for Buying a Short Sale Property

You've heard the term "Short Sale" but do you even know what it means? Adrienne Lally of Remax Honolulu breaks it down for us and shares a few tips for homebuyers looking to purchase a short sale property.

3 Tips on How to Save on Homeowners’ Insurance

Ryan Thornton of Insurance Associates gives us 3 tips on how to save money on your homeowners' insurance policy.

Different ways you can use a Seller Credit

Brenda Carr tells us how we all can utilize a "Seller Credit" when buying a home. Ask your Realtor how you can request a Seller Credit on your next home purchase!

Cash to Close Process

Jim Owens covers the best practices involved with the Cash to Close process. Following these tips can help reduce any delays with the funding and recording of your home loan.

Red Flags to Look out for When Purchasing a Condo

If you plan on purchasing a condo, there are a few potential red flags to look for that can steer your transaction sideways. Using this video as a tutorial, you can look out for these red flags early enough in the process so that you can minimize the wasted cost and time if the transaction needs to be canceled.

Items Needed to Prequalify for a Loan

Are you ready to get prequalified for a home loan? You will need have few types of information handy to discuss with your loan officer. He/she will ask for to a 2 year address history, a 2 year employment history, assets and banking information, credit information, and information on any other properties you may own. If you are applying with a spouse, their information will be requested as well. This may seem like a lot of information, but in just 15 minutes you will know exactly what you can qualify for!

Home Loan Financing after a Bankruptcy

Gabe Amey & Jim Owens discuss the rules with obtaining mortgage financing after going through either a Chapter 7 & Chapter 13 Bankruptcy.

Home Buying after a Short Sale or Foreclosure

Having a Short Sale or Foreclosure in the past, doesn't automatically disqualify you from getting another home loan. Carolina Carreira of Hawaii VA Loans breaks down the rules in regards to obtaining mortgage financing after a Short Sale or Foreclosure

The 3 Inspections Required on a Home Purchase

Whenever you purchase a home, you'll be required to do three different inspections while in escrow. Tiffany Bove of Coldwell Banker goes over these three types of inspections including estimated cost for each.

The 4 C’s of Qualifying for a Home Loan

Jim Owens discusses the 4 “C"s of home buying (Credit, Capacity, Collateral, and Cash to Close). You want to have all of the 4 “C”s because they show the lender that you can pay your bills on time, afford your mortgage payments, and still have liquid assets left over after a purchase. If you can exhibit the 4 “C”s you will more then likely qualify for a loan.

3 Tips to Maximize Your Home’s Sales Price

Thinking of selling your home anytime soon? Athens Arquette of Arquette Properties shares 3 VALUABLE tips on maximizing the sales price of your home.

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