VA Home Loan Refinance Options Explained

There are a number of options available to veterans for refinancing their homes. Refinancing can help you to lower payments, consolidate your debts, make improvements on your home, or even help you pay it off more quickly. Whatever your motivation, there are VA refinance options that will fit your needs. These options include the following:VA Streamline Refinance Loan: this is the easiest and fastest way to reduce your interest rate, reduce your payment, and/or reduce the length of your loan. Also known as an interest rate reduction loan or IRRRL, this is the best mortgage refinance loan on the market. Credit qualifying is not required, which means that even with bad credit, you may still be eligible for a loan.VA Debt Consolidation Loan: In order to lower your monthly payments from credit cards, second mortgages, auto loans, or other debts, you can borrow up to 100 percent of your home’s value. You must have some type of equity in your home to qualify for this type of loan.VA Refinance Relief: This loan can help veterans who have non-VA, “sub-prime,” or conventional loans with higher interest rates or other unfavorable terms. It is provided by the Veteran’s Benefits Improvement Acts of 2008, and is available to help those who are “upside down” on their loans with little or no equity in their homes.VA Home Improvement Loan: If you would like to make home improvements and increase the value of your home, you can use your home’s current equity. You can borrow up to 90 percent of your home’s equity.VA Energy Efficiency Mortgage: If you are making energy-efficient upgrades to your home, you can get up to $6,000 added to your refinance loan. These loans allow you to qualify for a larger loan amount and purchase a better, more energy-efficient home. You would have to have your home rated before financing is approved.VA Cash Out Refinance Loan: This loan can be used to pay off bills, lower monthly payments (not just mortgage payments), or build up a cash reserve. Veterans with equity in their homes are eligible for this loan, and the cash can be used for any purpose. An appraisal is required and you must qualify for the loan (unlike the VA streamline refinance loan). Also a 3 percent funding fee is charged for this loan, but it can be rolled into the loan.