A law signed by President Donald Trump on June 25 to provide compensation to ill veterans who served on Navy ships in Vietnam also made several changes to Department of Veterans Affairs-backed home loans for all eligible veterans. Starting Jan. 1, any veteran who wants to take advantage of the VA's "zero-down payment" loan program will be able to do so, even in areas with high housing costs where veterans have historically been required to make a 25% down payment. Under current law, the VA's maximum loan guarantee amount is calculated as a percentage of the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation Act (Freddie Mac) limit, which is $484,350 for most counties. Essentially, since the VA's guaranty of a loan is 25%, its maximum allowable amount for a loan was capped at the Freddie Mac limit. If a veteran wanted to buy a more expensive home, he or she was required to pay 25% of the difference or not use the VA program. The new law eliminates the Freddie Mac link to VA loans and instead will make the maximum guaranty 25% of the loan amount. Read more on Military.com.
New Law Increases VA Home Loan Limits, Funding Fees
