VA Loan / Veteran Mortgage News
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Pioneer Military Loans offers responsible military lending solutions that can help
service members avoid or break the debt cycle.
Military Hub is about building wealth and saving money. It's about helping you make the best military financial choices for your future.
MAY 2009
VALoans.com Enhances Military Discounts Section
VALoans.com is pleased to announce that we have added military discounts offered by
Extended Stay Hotels®.
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Partner of the Month - Military Benefit Association
Highlights of MBA's Insurance Plans
- No aviation limitation or reduced benefits for flyers.
- $10,000 emergency death benefit.
- Waiver of premium for officially declared POW/MIA.
- Protection 24 hours a day anywhere in the world in peace and war.
- Low cost life insurance protection for the entire family.
- Level Term II Life Insurance - premium stays level to age 51.
- MBA Term 90 Life Insurance with coverage to age 90.
- Veterans Patriot Term Life Insurance for honorably discharged veterans.
- TRICARE supplement plan that helps offset ever increasing medical costs.
- Coverages you can take with you when you leave the service.
- Living benefit option to advance 25% of the death benefit while living if diagnosed with a
terminal illness and a life expectancy of less than 12 months from time of diagnosis.
Get more information online from
Military Benefit Association or call toll free at 1-800-336-0100.
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Lock in Low Payments
A window of opportunity may be closing for homeowners looking to reduce their monthly payments. Higher prices on many goods
and services suggest inflation may be increasing in the U.S., economists say. Interest rates may increase in the future
in response to those conditions. Bond investors demand higher rates when they believe inflation is rising, since that
reduces the value of interest payments from bonds.
Rates still remain attractive, and as summer approached they were below levels from twelve months ago. But no one can be
certain how long today's favorable conditions will be available. Many homeowners now are eager to lock in the benefits of
fixed-rate mortgage payments. If you plan on staying in your home for several years, this may be your best chance to obtain
affordable payments which won't change while you live there.
Especially if you have a home loan with adjustable payments which could rise soon, it's in your interest to consider
your current options. Even if you anticipate moving in a few years, you may be able to reduce your costs with a new
adjustable-rate loan now. Some borrowers are discovering their adjustable index is particularly volatile in today's
environment, and would prefer another alternative.
We'll show you how different home loans would fit into your budget now, so that you can make an informed choice.
Affordable payments allow you to enjoy your home a little more each day. Call us soon to learn more about today's
financing opportunities.
Who's Buying Now
Low mortgage rates are helping Americans to purchase homes today. Yet personal factors play a big role in the timing
of real estate transactions. Here are some of the reasons consumers are shopping for homes now:
- Gaining a new job often encourages us to move in order to be closer to where we work.
- Changing household size means a new home might suit us better. Young couples will look for a larger place when a baby is on the way. And some families downsize once their children are on their own.
- Retired couples also may select a house which is newer and requires less maintenance than where they lived before. Additionally, they can move closer to friends and activities they enjoy.
- Other family needs can determine when we move. Some buyers relocate to be near elderly parents, for instance. Or young households want to purchase in an area with excellent schools.
Parents investigating schools before moving should find out if specific programs and facilities are what their offspring need. One child may want a strong music program, while another prefers to play on top teams.
No matter where you choose to live, we'll assist you by providing strong financing options. Let us know what your mortgage priorities are, and we'll show you how different loans would work in your situation.
Stay in Great Shape
Keeping your house in peak condition will give you greater enjoyment while living there - and save money by promoting energy efficiency and avoiding large repair jobs. Here are home maintenance suggestions to go over:
- Keep your furnace filters clean to cut fuel costs and prolong the life of your heating and air conditioning systems.
- Drain your water heater at least once a year to make it last longer.
- Check electrical circuit breakers every six months by going to your panel box and turning them off and back on. A bad circuit breaker may be indicating a problem in your wiring.
- Look for water damage, and find out the source of the problem whenever it occurs.
- Know how long your home's features should last, and make replacements as necessary. Repaint your exterior every five to ten years, and see how your roof is holding up after a dozen years.
Contact us when it's time to start doing maintenance, repairs, or improvements. We'll show you affordable ways to make these important home renovations.
Market Gains Strength
Real estate markets are looking better in many parts of the country, according to recent national reports. Home sales were up in some regions in March, says the National Association of Realtors (NAR).
Prices on sale homes also increased from a median of $195,600 in February to $200,700 in March, NAR adds. "In many parts of the country," NAR explains, "there has not been a price decline."
A government report states that "U.S. home prices rose approximately 0.6 percent" between January and February. For many commentators that's not enough evidence to prove the real estate marketplace has turned the corner.
Yet it's apparent that buyers are finding value in plenty of neighborhoods now. And they're confident enough to proceed with a purchase today.
LONG-TERM VIEW
Housing price increases have fallen from record levels over the past two years. But considering a longer viewpoint provides a different perspective.
American homeowners saw their net housing equity - or the value of their property minus mortgage debt - grow from $6.2 trillion to $9.6 trillion from 2000 to 2007, according to the Federal Reserve.
Today's attractive real estate prices and low mortgage rates are making it easier to purchase soon. Contact us when you're thinking about buying a house, to discover how easy that can be.
The GI Bill Can Change Your Future.
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