Author: Chapman Lending Team

Read the latest blog posts from our mortgage experts, get the latest updates about the industry, tips and tricks for making your purchasing experience easy, and more!

Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac loan limit increases to $510,400

Nov 26 2019

Chapman Lending Team at HomeBridge Financial The Federal Housing Finance Agency announced Tuesday that it is raising the conforming loan limits for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to more than $510,000. In most of the U.S., the 2020 maximum conforming... »
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Who Qualifies for a VA Loan?

Oct 11 2019

Do I Qualify for a VA Loan? VA loans are specialty mortgages offered to military service members and their families and are partially backed by the Department of Veterans Affairs. To learn more details... »
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Bill Eliminating VA Loan cap signed into law

Jun 27 2019

The Department of Veterans Affairs can now back loans that exceed the conforming loan limit. A bill eliminating this cap was signed into law by President Donald Trump on June 25th, 2019. [caption id="attachment_124871" align="alignright"... »
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VA Home Loan 100% Cash-Out Refinance: How it Works, Get Rates and Apply

Dec 18 2018

Chapman Lending Team Most veterans know they can purchase a home with ZERO down payment with a VA loan. However, when refinancing with a VA loan, can one pull out... »
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2019 VA Home Loan County Limits Released

Nov 27 2018

The 2019 VA Home Loan County Limits have been released. 2019 VA Loan Limits Announced For 2019, the ZERO down payment limit will increase to $484,350 for most counties. For some... »
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But BAH Is Not Taxed, Can I Still Write All This Off On My Taxes???

Oct 15 2018

THE TAX BENEFITS OF BEING A HOMEOWNER When purchasing or selling a home, one should consider the many tax benefits. Buying a home is usually the biggest investments a person will ever make. Due... »
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Are VA Loans Assumable? YES, and the Buyer doesn’t even have to be VA Eligible!

Aug 30 2018

As interest rates increase and the housing market slows down, wouldn't it be great if a home buyer could just take over a current low rate mortgage on a home? Of course, and... »
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VA Renovation Home Loan: How to Include a $35,000 Remodel into a VA Home Loan

Aug 22 2018

The Chapman VA Loan Team at HomeBridge Financial now features the VA Renovation Loan What is a HomeBridge VA Renovation Loan? As the #1 renovation lender in the U.S., HomeBridge Financial... »
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Loan Limits Increased For 2018

Nov 28 2017

Higher loan limits have just been announced for 2018. This is great news for anyone looking to purchase a home in the coming year. It is not yet confirmed that FHA and VA... »
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2018 San Diego VA Loan Limit

Nov 28 2017

The 2018 VA Loan Limits have been released. The VA loan program does not have a maximum amount a veteran can borrow using a VA loan. For 2018, the ZERO down payment limit will... »
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Army-Navy Golf Classic

Nov 16 2017

On December 8th, 2017, The Chapman Lending Team is proud to sponsor the Army-Navy golf tournament at Admiral Baker Golf Course. Each year the U.S. Naval Academy gives classmates and friends the opportunity... »
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Disability Ratings and the VA Loan

Nov 2 2017

Most people are already aware that one of the perks of using a VA loan is the zero down payment for homes that are under the loan limits provided for your specific county. ... »
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Do You Need an Honorable Discharge to Qualify For a VA Loan?

Sep 21 2017

There are many different things that can affect your VA Home Loan eligibility and your military discharge is definitely one of them. There are 3 types of discharges that are accepted by the... »
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203K Loans For Multi Units

Aug 31 2017

For some buyers, they may want to purchase a multi-family residence so that they may have renters pay for some of their mortgage. Some possible problems to this scenario may be renovation costs... »
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What is an Earnest Money Deposit?

Aug 17 2017

Earnest money is a deposit made to a seller to prove a buyer’s good faith in a transaction. This deposit is a fraction of your down payment which indicates to the seller your... »
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Foreclosure and VA Home Loans

Jul 27 2017

Even with the great rates that a VA loan provides, unforeseen circumstances can arise where the veteran is unable to pay for their mortgage any longer. If a foreclosure seems likely the veteran... »
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CalVet vs. VA Home Loans

Jul 20 2017

CalVet Loans are based on CA bond rates Most active duty and veterans are aware that due to their service they are entitled to one of the best home loans... »
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Can a Surviving Spouse Use a VA Loan?

Jul 7 2017

The VA guidelines before 2012 stated that only spouses who died from military-related causes would be allowed to have VA benefits. Since then the VA has changed their stance on loan eligibility for... »
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Can You Receive Gift Funds For a VA Home Loan?

Jun 23 2017

Veterans are in a unique position when it comes to home loans. They are offered a number of great benefits such as easier qualifying, extremely competitive rates and of course zero money down. ... »
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What is the VA EEM?

Jun 16 2017

Today’s buyers are considered to be more energy efficient than ever and they are choosing to find homes that are considered to be more eco-friendly. However, finding the right home for the right... »
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What Happens When a VA Appraisal Comes in Low?

Jun 9 2017

When purchasing a home, a crucial part of the process is to have the home appraised. VA Appraisers inspect the interior and surrounding property in order to establish the value of a home. ... »
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How Solar Affects Buying, Selling and Refinancing a House

Apr 13 2017

Solar is becoming more popular than ever due to the fact that homeowners can save money as well as make their house "green." But when buying or selling a home solar panels can... »
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VA Loan Allowable and Non-Allowable Closing Costs

Mar 23 2017

Why is there a misconception out there that if a seller accepts a VA offer, they will have to pay more in closing costs? Whether you are the buyer or seller, closing costs are... »
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VA Loan Bonus Entitlements

Mar 10 2017

This topic is sometimes difficult for veterans to understand therefore when we break it down it seems to be a little less frustrating. First of all, when addressing the bonus entitlement if you... »
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Renting vs. Owning – The Power of the VA Loan in San Diego

Mar 2 2017

Housing is the biggest expense for most Americans and it accounts for more than 30 percent of a household's yearly expenditures. Of course, housing costs vary greatly depending on where you live and... »
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Property Tax Exemptions for Disabled Veterans in California

Feb 23 2017

The Disabled Veterans' Exemption reduces property tax liability for qualified veterans. These veterans must have been rated 100% disabled or are being compensated at the 100% rate due to unemployment due to a... »
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Can a VA Loan Be Passed to a Spouse or Children?

Feb 16 2017

While the majority of servicemembers and veterans are eligible for a VA home Loan, what are the requirements for spouses or even children? When looking into the VA Loan eligibilty there are always... »
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How Does VA Disability affect the VA Home Loan?

Feb 9 2017

VA Disability Can Save You Thousands in VA Loan Fees Most veterans with disabilities caused by injuries sustained in service will likely be eligible for a VA home loan. Disabled... »
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Beware! The HERO Program Can Affect a VA Home Loan And The Sale Of Your Home

Jan 26 2017

What is the Hero Program? HERO stands for Home Energy Renovation Opportunity. This is a program that provides financing for any energy improvements made to your house such as solar, windows, plumbing, etc. This... »
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Condition Requirements For a VA Loan

Jan 20 2017

When considering a VA loan there are some property requirements that need to be met before a loan can be qualified. The VA's minimum property requirements or MPRs can help point you in the... »
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What is a VA Jumbo Loan?

Jan 5 2017

VA jumbo loans are mortgage loans above the standard county loan limits. Starting January 2017, the standard county limit is $424,100 for most areas of the country. A VA loan buyer can purchase... »
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Termite Inspections and the VA Loan

Dec 22 2016

As most people know there are many benefits to the VA loan that other loans do not possess. But one requirement that is specific to the VA loan is pest inspections. Termites can... »
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Can Student Loans Affect VA Loans?

Dec 6 2016

Nearly 70% of College graduates have some sort of student loan debt, with an average of $37,000 in 2016. Just like any other debt, your student loans will be considered in your debt-to-income... »
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2017 San Diego VA Loan Limits

Nov 30 2016

The 2017 VA Loan Limits have been released. The VA loan program does not have a maximum amount a veteran can borrow using a VA loan. For 2017, the ZERO down payment limit will... »
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What if I have used a VA loan in the past?

Nov 4 2016

Most people have the idea that once they find the perfect house they will live there forever. Unfortunately, that is not always the case. Your circumstances change and you may find your "perfect"... »
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Can Your Children Impact Your VA Loan?

Oct 26 2016

Believe it or not but having a child or children can have an affect on your VA home loan. There are 3 main areas that can have a huge affect on whether or... »
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Manufactured Housing and the VA Loan

Oct 25 2016

Manufactured or modular houses have an appeal to buyers because of their cheaper prices than the standard houses that are built from the ground up. Living in a place such as San Diego,... »
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Investment Property and VA Loans

Oct 21 2016

One of the benefits of the VA home loan is that an active duty member or a veteran can purchase a house of their dreams. But a common question regarding their loan is... »
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What are the Closing Costs for a VA Loan?

Oct 20 2016

What are the Closing Costs for a VA Loan? Closing costs are the costs and fees associated with acquiring and finalizing a home purchase or refinance. Unfortunately, most of them must be paid before you... »
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What documents do I need for a VA Loan?

Oct 12 2016

What documents do I need for a VA Loan? The VA Home Loan is widely considered to be the best mortgage available in today's market for active duty military and veterans. Eligible veterans are... »
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