Veterans United, VA Loans, and a Giveaway with Pinterest!

Thinking of buying a house using the VA loan?  You might be feeling a bit overwhelmed by the whole deal -- it's an incredibly worthwhile program but one that is slightly daunting.  Fear not home buyers ... Former journalist Chris Birk has written a book on the subject. Below are a few questions with the author and then ... wait for it ... we have a great giveaway too!  Read on and then get your pinterest on and get a free copy of the book.  

Levi Newman:  Why write an entire book on VA loans when veterans can simply type “VA loans” into an Internet search engine?

Chris: I’ll give you three reasons. First, there’s so much misleading and flat-out false information on the web regarding the VA loan program. It’s tough for active military members, veterans and military families to separate fact from fiction. Two, even when you find credible information it’s usually brief and often interwoven with a call to action -- “fill out this form” or “call this number.” We wanted to provide prospective borrowers with a much more detailed and in-depth resource. Three, this isn’t a web page or even a flimsy brochure. This is something we can hand out to military families, real estate agents, community lenders and even elected officials to help them better understand this powerful home loan program, which has helped more than 18 million veterans become homeowners.  In today’s tight lending climate, this long-cherished program is more important than ever. Veterans need good information to make good decisions.

Levi:  As you know, I recently purchased a home using my VA loan benefits. I work for a VA lender and still came across things I didn’t know about. How well-prepared is the average VA borrower?

Chris:  As with so many things in life, the answer is: It depends. On the whole, I think most military borrowers aren’t sure about their benefits, their credit score and what they need in order to achieve the dream of home ownership. Military members face some unique financial challenges given the nature of their service and sacrifice. That can easily put them at a disadvantage when it comes time to purchase a home. 

Levi: Is there one thing they should know above all?

Chris: There are so many things they need to know in order to take true advantage of this amazing loan program. But I think I can boil it down to a pair of ideas. One is that qualified borrowers can purchase a home with no money down. It’s difficult to comprehend just how incredible this benefit is in the current economic climate. Given that the VA limits what veterans can pay in closing costs, borrowers can actually buy a home today without losing a dollar up front. The second is the importance of having good credit and fiscal responsibility. This can take time, patience and diligence, but good credit is one of the keys to securing a VA loan. And the higher your score, the lower your interest rate.

Levi: Do you really think anyone will read a 270-page book about VA loans?

Chris: Other than my mother? It’s possible. It’s my hope that veterans and military families find this helpful, whether it’s from skimming a few pages or reading it cover to cover. This is a small way to give back to those who have given so much. The more veterans know about their home lending options, the more certain and secure their future will be. Those who have served deserve nothing less.

Chris Birk is a former journalist and author of “The Book on VA Loans: An Essential Guide to Maximizing Your Home Loan Benefits.” He is also the content development director for Veterans United Home Loans. Follow him on Google+.

For more information visit:  http://www.veteransunited.com/

Ok, now for the giveaway part!  

1. Pin this blog post on your Pinterest page and make sure you include our URL in the pin - www.bluestarfam.org

2. Email us at contests@bluestarfam.org to tell us you've done the deed (include a link to YOUR Pinterest board) and

3. Veterans United will send a FREE copy of this book to the FIRST 50 PEOPLE to email us with their Pinterest board link.  

How cool is that!  Be sure and include your full name and snail mail address ... That's it!  Share this with your fellow military peeps too!