Illinois VA Loans | IL VA Loan Limits and VA Mortgage Refinance

Why choose a VA Home Loan?

Illinois VA Mortgages require no down payment.
There are no prepayment penalties for VA Home Loans.
An Illinois VA Loan is fully assumable, provided the person assuming is qualified.
VA Mortgage Loans have no PMI premiums.
A VA Mortgage Loan is eligible for non-credit qualifying, Streamline Refinance or "IRRRL".
A VA Home Mortgage is available all areas of the country, provided a market exists for the property and the home meets VA's property standards.
A VA Home Loan may be used to purchase or refinance a new or existing home.
Illinois VA Loans are offered at terms of 15 or 30 years.

VA Refinance Questions & Answers

What are the guidelines for a VA Refinance?
If the borrower wishes to take cash out of the property, then the maximum financing amount is 90% of the appraised value, depending on the borrowers qualifications. If the borrower does not take cash out then the maximum financing will be 100% of the appraised value of the home or the amount you are refinancing plus closing costs, whichever is lower.

Why should I consider refinancing into a VA-insured mortgage?
VA refinance mortgages do not come with prepayment penalties, have no teaser rates nor balloon payments. They are offered at market rate with terms up to 30 years and are fully amortized, meaning that you pay towards principal and interest every month.

What if I have a prepayment penalty and other refinancing costs and there isn’t enough equity in my home to refinance?
If you do not have sufficient equity in your home to add your prepayment penalty and/or other refinancing costs into your new VA mortgage, then you should ask your current lender to consider a second mortgage to pay the difference or a short payoff on your existing loan. Offering either of these options is at the discretion of the lender.

Does it matter that the value of my home is now less than what I still owe?
Not to VA, but the current mortgage lender considering the refinance would have to be willing to accept a short payoff on the existing loan OR to hold a second mortgage to make up the difference needed to pay off the existing mortgage and the home’s value.

I have already obtained one VA loan. Can I get another one?
Yes, your eligibility is reusable depending on the circumstances. Normally, if you have paid off your prior VA loan and disposed of the property, you can have your used eligibility restored for additional use. Also, on a one-time only basis, you may have your eligibility restored if your prior VA loan has been paid in full but you still own the property.

Only a portion of my eligibility is available at this time because my prior loan has not been paid in full even though I don’t own the property anymore. Can I still obtain a VA guaranteed home loan?
Yes, depending on the circumstances. If a veteran has already used a portion of his or her eligibility and the used portion cannot yet be restored, any partial remaining eligibility would be available for use. The veteran would have to discuss with a lender whether the remaining balance would be sufficient for the loan amount sought and whether any down payment would be required.

Is the surviving spouse of a deceased veteran eligible for the home loan benefit?
The unmarried surviving spouse of a veteran who died on active duty or as the result of a service-connected disability is eligible for the home loan benefit. If you wish to make application for the home loan benefit as a surviving spouse, please contact us.