VA Loan

A VA Loan is made available to qualified veterans, active service members and surviving spouses to use for purchasing a home. You do not have to have a down payment or Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI) with a VA loan. The VA Loan is guaranteed by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

The VA does not originate loans but sets the rules for who may qualify, issues minimum guidelines and requirements under which mortgages may be offered, and financially guarantees loans that qualify under the program.

A VA Loan is available only as a fixed rate loan, meaning your interest rate will not vary for the life of the loan.

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The VA Loan is specifically for military personnel and surviving spouses and is a fixed-rate loan. See other differences in the chart.

Yes!

You do not need to have a down payment when you purchase a home with a VA Loan. Instead, the loan will be for the full purchase price.

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Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI) is insurance lenders require most homeowners to take out when they make a down payment of less than 20% of the home's purchase price. This insurance cost is typically tacked onto your monthly mortgage payment and is required until 20% of the principal amount is reached.

With an Elements VA Loan, no PMI is required. You can save up to $25,000 in PMI costs over the course of your loan!

Calculate Your Savings

The specific amount of your closing costs will vary. A home loan often involves many fees, such as the appraisal fee, title charges, closing fees, and state or local taxes. These fees vary from state to state and also from lender to lender. Your Elements Mortgage Loan Originator will review all costs with you based on your specific loan amount, purchase price, and home value.

Third Party Fees

Third party fees are ones that we collect and pass on to the person who actually performed the service. These can include the appraisal fee, the credit report fee, the settlement or closing fee, the survey fee, tax service fees, title insurance fees, flood certification fees, and courier/mailing fees. For example, an appraiser is paid the appraisal fee, a credit bureau is paid the credit report fee, and a title company or an attorney is paid the title insurance fees. 

Taxes and Other Unavoidable Costs

These fees include state/local taxes and recording fees and will most likely have to be paid regardless of the lender you choose. If some lenders don't quote you fees that include taxes and other unavoidable fees, don't assume you won't have to pay it. It is possible that a lender who doesn't tell you about the fee hasn't done the research necessary to provide accurate closing costs.

Lender Fees

Lender fees such as points, document-preparation fees, and loan-processing fees are retained by the lender and are used to provide you with the lowest rates possible. This is the category of fees that you should compare very closely from lender to lender before making a decision. Elements charges a standard $995 origination fee on all mortgages.

For more information, call us at 1-800-561-9433.

Yes! When you refinance your home, you actually pay off your existing mortgage and replace it with a new one. You might do this to get a lower interest rate or to shorten the term of your mortgage. Perhaps your current financial situation would make it good for you to switch from a conventional mortgage to VA loan. You can learn more about refinancing your mortgage with Elements.

Call us at 1-800-561-9433 to see if you can be preapproved for a loan so that you know what price range you can afford, to evaluate the monthly costs of a loan, and to see how much of a loan you can afford. The preapproval will also give you some leverage when negotiating with the sellers.

Getting Started

You can apply online in 15-20 minutes! Submit your application anytime. Or call us at 1-800-561-9433 to apply by phone. When you apply, have ready your government-issued ID (driver’s license, state ID, or passport) and estimates of your household income, assets, home value and price you paid for your home.

Gathering Documentation

We’ll contact you within one business day after you submit your application to review documentation that we'll need from you. We’ll also answer any questions you may have. 

Application Review & Approval 

Once you have supplied your documents, your loan will be reviewed by an underwriter. After the underwriter review, your Elements Mortgage Loan Originator and Loan Processor will work together to obtain any further documentation that is needed to close your loan, including the appraisal and title work. 

Closing

Once your loan has been approved, your closing will be scheduled at a location convenient for you. That's it — your VA Loan is complete! Application to closing takes an average of 30 days. 

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Like a Bank, Only Better!

Personal Mortgage Guidance

Buying a home can be a bit overwhelming. But don’t worry. We’ll be with you every step of the way to guide you through the mortgage process, from preapproval all the way to closing. You’ll have your personal mortgage expert’s cell phone number, so you can get all your questions answered very quickly. 

Better Rates. Fewer Fees.

Because we’re a credit union, we return profits to members in the form of reduced fees, higher savings rates, and lower loan rates.

Trusted Advice. Fresh Approach.

We pride ourselves on being a trusted source for financial education. We come to your workplace to answer questions and can provide you with a dedicated Mortgage Loan Originator⁷ to guide you through the entire mortgage process.

Respected Locally. Accessed Globally.

Headquartered in Indianapolis since 1930, we rank among the top 5% of credit unions nationally⁸. We serve members in all 50 states and 50+ countries. You’ll have access to 5,000+ shared branches nationwide and 78,000+ surcharge-free ATMs globally.

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3 Easy Steps to Apply

1. Apply online - Do this online whenever you have 15-20 minutes to spare. Or call 1-800-561-9433 to get started.
2. Take our call - We'll contact you within one business day after you submit your application to go over what documentation we'll need and to answer your questions.
3. Schedule your closing - We'll stay in touch with you throughout the mortgage process. Then, if you're approved, we'll schedule your closing at a location convenient for you

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Your monthly mortgage payment is made up of four components: principal, interest, property taxes, and homeowner’s insurance (referred to as "PITI"). 

Principal and Interest

Principal and interest are based on the loan amount, interest rate, and term (amortization) of your loan. 

Property Taxes

Property taxes are assessed annually. The amount of your taxes is divided by 12 months in order to determine how much will be collected from you as part of your monthly payment.

Insurance

Homeowner’s Insurance is also paid annually. The amount of your annual premium is divided by 12 months as well. 

Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI) can also be a component of your monthly mortgage payment. This is insurance that the lender obtains to protect them against any loss if you stop making payments on your loan. PMI is typically required on Conventional loans if you do not put at least 20% down on a purchase or have 20% or more equity in your property on a refinance.