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Veterans United mortgage review
This lender specializes in loans for service members and their families, but its branch locations are limited.
Veterans United is a top lender for VA loans, and covers other government-backed loans like FHA and USDA. But borrowers complain that applying takes lots of time and paperwork. And if you prefer in-person support, it only has branches in 18 states.
Details
| Loan types | VA, USDA, FHA, Refinance, Conventional |
|---|---|
| Minimum credit | 620 |
| Available States | Available in all states |
Pros
- Suite of mortgage options
- Streamlined application
- Focus on veterans
Cons
- Limited branch locations
- No equity loans
- Conventional loans not competitive
Trust Pilot tells another story, with a 95% “Excellent” rating based on 3,980 customer reviews. Reviews praised Veterans United for creating an easy experience for clients to reach their goals.
What types of loans does Veterans United offer?
Veterans United specialized in VA loans, but it offers conventional and some government-backed loans.
- VA loans. These government-backed loans are designed specifically for service members and their families. It’s competitive rates and 100% financing makes this a strong choice for qualified homebuyers.
- USDA loans. Administered by the US Department of Agriculture, USDA loans give those in rural areas access to 100% financing and flexible credit requirements.
- FHA loans. Ideal for first-time home buyers and those purchasing a fixer-upper, these government-backed loans can get you a down payment as low as 3.5%.
- Conventional loans. Veterans United offers 15- 25- and 30 year fixed rate loans. But you could be directed to its partner bank, Neighbor’s Bank.
Other loans offered by Veterans United
Other home loan options include refinancing to lower your monthly payments by taking advantage of lower interest rates.
- VA Streamline Refinance. Most borrowers can qualify for no out-of-pocket costs and no appraisal to refinance a VA loan.
- Cash-out refinance. Refinance your VA loan to a lower interest rate and get cash from the equity in your home. Borrowers need a credit score of at least 620, and closing costs come from the cash out amount.
Veterans United fees
Fees depend on the kind of loan you decide, but some typical loans you can expect include:
- VA Funding fees. Typically with refinancing, these fees between 1.25% and 3.3% of the loan go directly to the Department of Veterans Affairs.
- Origination fees. These fees typically paid at closing can be 1% of your loan amount.
- Closing costs. Documents, underwriting and attorney fees are rolled into one cast to be paid at closing.
- Third-party fees. This can include appraisals, credit reports and recording fees are often paid to other companies other than the lender.
Requirements
The borrowing requirements with Veterans United depend on the kind of loan you apply for.
To qualify for a VA loan, you’ll need a credit score of at least 620 and you must be an active or veteran service member or qualified family member.
Nonservice members can apply for other loans through Veterans United, but its rates are less competitive than other lenders.
Other government-backed loans can require specific qualifications like income, credit score and residence in a specific region.
Documentation
The documents you need for a loan with Veterans United includes:
- Address and employment history for two years
- Paystubs stating monthly income
- Recent bank statements with account balances
- Current mortgage information
- Military history
How to get a home loan with Veterans United
To apply for a mortgage with Veterans united, begin by applying for prequalification online:
- Go to the Veterans United website.
- Click See if I’m eligible.
- Select if you’re buying or refinancing a home.
- You’ll answer questions surrounding your work with the military.
- Next, answer questions about the home you want to buy, like its location, price and the monthly mortgage you expect to pay.
- Choose if it’s a single-family, condo, townhouse, mobile, multifamily or new construction, and if it’s your primary residence.
- Answer questions about how quickly you’d like to close on your home, if you currently own a home and if you plan on selling a home before you make your purchase.
- Veterans United will ask if you need a real estate agent.
- You’ll then answer questions regarding your financial situation like credit score, employment, marital status and annual income.
- Other questions you could answer include the type of your current loan and if you’ve ever had a VA loan, and questions surrounding disability and bankruptcy.
- Next, you’ll provide details like email, phone number, name and address.
- Once you’re approved and an offer is accepted the home is appraised.
- Once you submit, a loan officer should reach out to complete your application.
Pros and cons of Veterans United
Pros
- Suite of mortgage options. Veterans United offers loans for nonservice members, government-backed loans and refinancing options.
- Limited branch locations. It offers loans in all 50 states, but in-person service is limited to 18 states.
- Streamlined application. It’s online application for preapproval takes just a few minutes.
Cons
- No equity loans. Look elsewhere for home equity loans and HELOCS.
- Focus on veterans. Not only does Veterans United specialize in loans for service members and their families, it employs mostly veterans from all branches of the military.
- Conventional loans not competitive. If you’re not a service member and only qualify for a conventional loan, you won’t get the best rates with Veterans United.
Compare other mortgage lenders
What is Veterans United?
Veterans United started in 2002, with a focus on VA loans. This niche lender, not only helps military service members and their families qualify for VA loans, but it employs primarily professionals from the military. In 2017, J.D. Power received the highest score in customer satisfaction out of 25 lenders, with customers citing friendly, helpful and attentive staff.
Frequently asked questions
Expert review
Review by
Leah Fallon
leah.fallon@findercrew.comLeah Fallon is an editor for finder.com. With 10 years of teaching English under her belt, it was a natural progression to move into editorial. She's written feature pieces for regional print and digital media and today helps fix annoying apostrophes, elusive infinitives and the muddled em and en dash. When she's not helping people with their finances, you can find her exploring the trails of Loudoun County, Virginia and wrangling her two sprightly girls.
Expert review
Veterans United is a niche lender that’s good for military service members and their families. It’s a certified VA lender and its customer service is well-rated.
However, if you don’t qualify for a VA loan, Veterans United doesn’t offer competitive rates for conventional loans. And if it doesn’t offer home equity or lines of credit.