The Texas Vet Loan & VA Guaranteed Loan
Learn About the Benefits You've Earned
Benchmark Mortgage offers both the regular VA Guaranteed Loan program, and as an approved Texas Veteran Land Board (VLB) lender, we also offer the Texas Vet Loan program for Veterans with Disabilites. Whether you are seeking to purchase a home here in Texas or refinance an existing loan, we are here to help.
We now offer VA loans down to a 600 FICO for eligible and qualified veterans or active-duty personnel.
Texas Veteran Loan (Texas VLB)
Eligible and qualified Texas veterans can obtain a below-market interest rate loan of up to $766,550 through the Texas Veterans Home Loan Program for the purchase of their primary residence. Loans are originated by lenders who participate in the Veterans Housing Assistance Program, sponsored by the Texas Veterans Land Board.
We are proud to offer our Texas veterans and active-duty personnel this exciting program.
More About the Texas Vet Home Loan Program
This program is often referred to as a Texas Vet Loan. It is available to eligible and qualified Veterans residing in Texas, seeking to purchase a home as their primary residence. Rates are established by the Texas Veterans Land Board (VLB) and are updated each week and posted on our website. Veterans with a VA disability rating and surviving spouses often qualify for a reduced rate of 0.50% (1/2%).
Veterans can choose either a 15 or 30-year term, and no down payment is required. The maximum loan amount for a Texas Vet Home Loan is $766,550.
Home Purchase With the Texas Vet Home Loan Program
Veterans who qualify for this program have the opportunity to purchase a home with little or no down payment, at what are often unbeatable rates. The home must meet the following requirements to be eligible for a Texas Vet Home Loan:
- The home must be located in the state of Texas.
- The Veteran must be purchasing the home to be their primary residence.
- Eligible property types are single family attached or detached, townhomes, condos, or homes within a planned unit development.
- New construction homes are allowed, but must meet the EPA’s ENERGY STAR® rating guidelines, and must be ENERGY STAR® labeled and certified OR…
- A HERS (The home energy rating system) index score of 75 or less, and must have an energy rating certificate documenting the score.
Land & Home Improvement Loans
We do not offer these loans. Veterans must go through the Texas Veterans Land Board (VLB) . To contact the VLB directly, call 800-252-8387 or visit their web portal by clicking on the link above.
VA Guaranteed Loan
The VA Guaranteed Loan enables eligible and qualified veterans and active-duty personnel in the state of Texas to purchase a home as their primary residence with no down payment requirement and no monthly mortgage insurance.
We have originated well over 1000 VA loans in the state of Texas since 2002. Chances are pretty good that we can provide you with unparalleled service, answer your questions, and help reduce some of the stress that comes with such an important decision as purchasing a home or refinancing your existing home.
As VA Loan experts we are excited to offer this loan program to our veterans and active-duty personnel living in the state of Texas.
More About the VA Guaranteed Loan in Texas
A VA Guaranteed Loan shares many of the same features and benefits of a Texas Vet Loan. Just like the Texas Veteran Land Board program, the VA Loan program is made through banks and private lenders. As a division of Benchmark Mortgage, we have originated hundreds of VA loans for our Veterans living in Texas.
A VA Loan offers many benefits to eligible veterans and active-duty personnel residing in the state of Texas. Among the biggest benefit is the fact that the VA guarantees 25% of the mortgage against any losses that are incurred if the borrower defaults.
This can be a huge benefit in that borrowers can get very favorable rates, along with no down payment requirement for any loan amount on a VA Loan. In addition, unlike other programs such as Conventional or FHA, there is no monthly private mortgage insurance (PMI), or monthly insurance premium (MIP). This can literally save our borrowers hundreds of dollars a month.
Purchasing a Home With a Texas Veteran or VA Home Loan
Veterans and active-duty personnel living in Texas have two great options for financing a home. Because of your service to our country, you can choose between two awesome home loan programs and get an incredible rate, with no down payment and no monthly private mortgage insurance (PMI), or monthly insurance premium (MIP). This can literally save you hundreds of dollars each month compared to other types of financing such as a FHA or a Conventional mortgage.
The First Option
The Texas Veterans Land Board Program
The first VA program is commonly referred to as a Texas Vet Loan. This loan program is sponsored by the Texas Veterans Land Board, or Veterans Land Board (VLB) for short. The VLB is underwritten to the same guidelines as a VA Guaranteed Loan. In fact it is a VA loan, but it is available only to eligible and qualified veterans and active-duty personnel who are residents of the state of Texas. The VLB does not originate these loans, they simply offer the program. Lenders, like us who are approved with the Land Board originate and close these loans.
The VLB offers excellent rates, which are posted every Friday afternoon, every week. In addition, they offer a reduced interest rate of 0.05% (1/2%) for disabled veterans who have at least a 30% or greater disability rating.
We have been originating Texas Veteran loans for years and we are proud to offer this program to our military families in Texas.
The Second Option
The VA Guaranteed Loan Program
The second VA Program is the VA Guaranteed Loan, which is offered by the Department of Veterans Affairs. This program is available nationwide to eligible and qualified veterans and even to some active-duty personnel, depending on their length of service. Veterans purchasing or refinancing in Texas with a VA Loan may qualify with a FICO score as low as 600. The VA loan program offers great rates, no down payment, no monthly private mortgage insurance (PMI), or monthly insurance premium (MIP) and now available down to a 600 FICO.
In addition, loan amounts exceeding a purchase price of $766,550 are available to eligible and qualified Texas Veterans. No down payment for VA Loans exceeding $766,550 will be required.
We have been originating VA and Texas Veteran Loans for over 15 years and have closed well over 1000 loans since we started.
Chances are good we can answer any questions you may have regarding either loan program, the eligibility requirements, and also help you get fully preapproved so that you can start working with a realtor, find a home, close on time and move in to your new home.
We look forward to the opportunity to help you choose the option that best serves your needs.
Refinancing With a VA Home Loan in Texas
Eligible veterans and active-duty personnel who own a home in Texas may be able to refinance their home using their eligibility to lower their interest rate or term, convert an adjustable rate loan to a fixed rate loan, or eliminate monthly private mortgage insurance (PMI) or monthly insurance premium (MIP).
The VA underwriter will determine if there is a ‘net tangible benefit’ to the homeowner wanting to refinance their mortgage. This is to insure that veterans aren't taken advantage of by unscrupulous lenders.
We welcome the opportunity to assist you with sound advice and helping you make the best decision for you and your family.
The Different Types or Refinances Available to Veterans in Texas
Streamline Refinance (IRRRL)
If your home is financed with a VA Guaranteed Loan, your best option is an Interest Rate Reduction Refinance Loan (IRRRL), more commonly referred to as a VA Streamline Refinance or ‘VA to VA’. Homeowners can use a VA Streamline Refinance (IRRRL) to lower their interest rate and monthly payment.
Borrowers are not required to use the same lender they used when purchasing their home. We offer highly competitive rates and first class customer service to our veterans and active-duty personnel.
Following are the requirements of a VA Streamline Refinance…
- Cannot refinance for more than you owe on your current loan (no cash back). However, any associated closing costs can be rolled into the new loan, with no cash out-of-pocket.
- Your existing mortgage must be a VA mortgage
- Your home can be your primary residence, second home or investment property. You must certify that you occupy the property or you previoulsy occupied the property.
Conventional Loan to VA Loan
If your current mortgage is not a VA Guaranteed Loan, you may still be able to refinance to a VA loan. Veterans whose current mortgage is financed with a Conventional, FHA, USDA or even an owner-financed mortgage may still be able to use their VA eligibility to lower their interest rate and monthly payment using a Conventional to VA Refinance, or 'Non-VA to VA'.
With property values steadily increasing, even if you attempted to refinance in the past, chances are good that a refinance may be possible due to the sharp rise in home values in the last few years.
Cashout Refinance
Due to strict home equity laws in the state of Texas, VA cash out refinances are not available. However, other options are available. Please contact us for more information.
Get Started Today With Your VA Loan Request!
When you qualify for a VA Loan or Texas Vet Loan, you'll find that rates are often lower than other loan programs. In addition, there are no monthly mortgage insurance or down payment requirements.
The quickest way to get started is to call our toll-free number at 866-704-2826 during normal business hours, Mon-Fri, from 8:30am - 5:30pm. In about 10 minutes we can answer your questions and get the prequalification process started. If it's after hours, or you don’t have time to call, simply click on the button below and complete our quick-and-easy online form and a member of our staff will contact you right away to discuss your options. We welcome the opportunity to assist you.
Chris Moore
Chris Moore
Texas Vet and Texas VA Loan Specialist
More About Chris
Chris started his career in mortgage lending back in 2001. He quickly realized what an awesome benefit the VA Loan program is for veterans and their families, and dedicated himself to learning all he could about VA lending. Since 2001, he and his team of VA Loan specialists have helped hundreds of Veterans understand how to use their VA loan or Texas Vet Home Loan benefit to purchase or refinance a home. He sums it up best with the following...
Chris has been a branch manager and loan originator with Benchmark Mortgage since 2002, serving Texas Veterans all across the state. He manages the texasveteranshomeloans.com team. He has personally helped hundreds of clients utilize the VA Loan and Texas Vet benefit they have earned.
Get Started Today With Your VA Loan Request!
If you would like to speak with Chris or one of his team of VA Guaranteed Loan / Texas Vet Loan specialists about the prequalification process, please call us our toll-free number at 866-704-2826 or click on the button below and complete our quick-and-easy online form. Chris or one of his team members will be happy to contact you and discuss your options.
We welcome the opportunity to assist you.