The steps to buying a home.

1.    You need to find a real estate professional. Because the buying a home with a VA loan has nuances you need to find realtor that has VA experience.

2.    Find a VA lender and get pre-approved. Most agents can recommend lenders. The lender will start the pre-approval process. This will normally take about three days, depending on how quickly they receive the requested information, such as your certificate for eligibility (COE), Leave and earning statement or pay stubs, and tax information. The lender will also pull your credit report. The result will be getting your pre-approval letter. The Pre-approval letter is a signed statement from the lender approving you for a set loan amount.

3.    Start shopping. Now that you know what you can afford, it’s time for you and your agent to start looking at homes. Remember that the VA has particular requirements for a home in order of it to qualify for the loan. Your realtor the is familiar with the VA process will know what to look for.

4.    Make an offer. You found a home you love. Time for your agent to write up an offer. The offer will include the price you are willing to pay and additional terms including but not limited closing date, earnest money deposit and inspections.

5.    Offer accepted. The seller accepts the offer the contract is ratified.

6.    Escrow period . How escrow and title will work and apply to the home-buying process, varies from state to state and may go by a different term. Regardless of what it is called or who handles the process, there is a time (usually 21 to 30 days) between when the home purchase contract is ratified and the day of closing. This is the time needed for property inspections, lender appraisal, or any additional items that need to be addressed in regard to the original offer.  

7.    Closing day. The day title is officially recorded (transferred), the buyer becomes the homeowner. Congratulations, you are now a proud homeowner.