Keith Bailey Realtor Florida Real Estate Blog

  How VA Loans Can Help You Buy a Home For over 80 years, Veterans Affairs (VA) home loans have helped millions of veterans buy their own  homes . If you or someone you know has served in the military, it's important to learn about this program and its benefits. Here are some key things to know about VA loans before  buying a home . Top Benefits of VA Home Loans VA home loans make it easier for veterans to buy a home, and they're a great perk for those who qualify.  According  to the  Department of Veteran Affairs,  some benefits include: Options for No Down Payment:  Qualified borrowers can often purchase a home with no down payment. That’s a huge weight lifted when you’re trying to save for a home.  The Associated Press   says : “. . . about 90% of VA loans are used to purchase a home with no money down.” Don’t Require Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI):  Many other loans with down payments under 20% require PMI. VA loans do not, wh...

  The Perks of Buying over Renting Thinking about buying a home? While today’s  mortgage rates  might seem a bit intimidating, here are two solid reasons why, if you’re ready and able, it could still be a smart move to get  your own place . 1. Home Values Typically Go Up Over Time There’s been some confusion over the past year or so about which way  home prices  are headed. Make no mistake, nationally they’re still going up. In fact, over the long-term,  home prices  almost always go up ( see graph below ): Using  data  from the  Federal Reserve  (the Fed), you can see the overall trend is home prices have climbed steadily for the past 60 years. There was an exception during the 2008 housing crash when prices didn’t follow the normal pattern, but generally, home values kept rising. This is a big reason why  buying a home  can be better than  renting . As prices go up and you pay down your mortgage, you build...