VA Loan:  A VA loan is a mortgage loan available through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs for service members, veterans, and their surviving spouses.

Did you know that VA loans can be done by banks, correspondent lenders and mortgage brokers who are certified to offer this loan program?

Different lenders have different overlays for the criteria that are accepted.

Some lenders suggest that they are "VA Lenders" actually are not affiliated with the VA at all.  They are just very good at marketing themselves as if they are and focus on the military buyers and sellers.

FHA Loans :

  The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) provides mortgage insurance on single-family, multifamily, manufactured home, and hospital loans made by FHA-approved lenders throughout the United States and its territories.

These loans do require Mortgage Insurance for the life of the loan (til you refinance or pay it off)

Down Payment:  3.5%

Interest Rates (Vary based on Fed Rate)

Debt-to -Income Ratio = 50%

Ex: If you make $5,000/mo income  per month - you subtract out the amount you spend each month on all of your monthly payments like car payment and credit cards etc.  Next - Take 50% of the balance and this is the maximum your house payment can be.