Are YOU a Veteran? 7 Steps to Buying a Home with a VA Loan

If you can answer yes, the VA loan program is designed exclusively to help you buy a home. It is a GREAT option for financing your piece of the American Dream! And, it is one of the only ZERO down programs still available.

As a REALTOR® who works throughout Anoka, Chisago and Washington Counties, I have sold many homes using the DVA program. I have worked with sellers in Forest Lake, Wyoming and Coon Rapids who accepted offers from Veterans using the DVA financing program to purchase the home. I assisted Veteran home buyers to locate and purchase homes in Ham Lake, Lino Lakes, Blaine and Hugo using their DVA eligibility option. All of the sales went off without a hitch. It is a wonderful program.

Additionally, I know and work closely with loan officers and mortgage brokers who have extensive experience working with VA loans. We work together as a team to get veterans into the homes of their dreams!

Earlier this year I attended a seminar given by the Department of Veterans Affairs on the home assistance program that is available for those who have served or are actively serving in the military. What a great benefit to our brave men and women who have sacrificed for our country. Low and no money down home loan programs are almost unheard of for today’s homebuyers. But the DVA has offered this option to eligible veterans since 1944 and continues the program today.
So, are you a veteran homebuyer?
There are many ways to take advantage of the DVA program. Whether you are buying a single family home, condo, townhome or even a duplex or four-plex, as long as you plan to live in the home, this is a benefit you have earned and should consider when buying or refinancing a home.

Seven Simple Steps to Buying a Home with a VA Loan:

1. Apply for your Certificate of Eligibility (COE). Or ask your loan officer to request online using the webLGY application.


2. Work with a REALTOR® to find your perfect home with a home seller that will accept DVA financing.


3. Present the COE to your loan officer at the time of loan application.


4. Loan officer will work with VA to order appraisal of home. A Notice of Value is issued.


5. The lender bank will review all documentation and approve your loan if the established property value and your credit and income are acceptable.


6. Attend the closing on your new home where the closer will go over all the loan terms and requirements as you sign the documents for your mortgage.


7. The lender applies to the VA for evidence of guaranty.

On the surface, many of these steps are similar to applying for a regular loan but the benefits of coming in with a very low or maybe even no down payment are not. Veterans should note that you are not alone in the process; you will have professional assistance in every step of the way. Why wouldn’t you want to check out this unique opportunity that is only available to those who have served our great country?

Copyright 2009 Teri Eckholm http://www.terieckholm.com/

RE/MAX Specialists Literally Flying Above the Crowd in White Bear Lake!

I never miss an opportunity to take a great photo. Years before we were married, my husband and I ventured out to take photos of the hot air balloon race during the St. Paul Winter Carnival. We froze our fingers that day but took some awesome photos so of course I jumped at the chance to photo the RE/MAX balloon as it took off from the White Bear Lake.

I thought I had missed out on the flight as it was suppose to fly over the Governor’s Fishing Opener on White Bear Lake this past weekend. I was busy showing homes in Chisago County on Saturday so figured the balloon fly over was just a memory.

On Sunday afternoon, my colleague Rose Hildebrand dropped by my Wyoming open house. She also was holding an open in the same neighborhood and wanted to see my listing. When she casually mentioned the RE/MAX balloon was a go for Sunday evening, I couldn't wait!

The takeoff point was Benson Field just south of Hugo in White Bear Township. It was a beautiful evening. It was a good thing my husband was there, the balloon team needed a bit of help to get the balloon off the ground. There is a bit of work to getting the balloon set up and put away. My fellow RE/MAX Specialist REALTOR®'s Julie Jarvis and Rose Hildebrand were allowed to go along for the ride of their lives. I chose to keep both feet firmly on the ground and capture the adventure in photos.

When asked where they planned to land the balloon, the answer was, wherever the wind takes us. (This wasn't a joke.) We followed the van to assist the team in putting the balloon back in the van and had to chase after the balloon; stopping and assessing along the way. They tried to set down in the Mahtomedi practice field but the wind had other ideas.

They literally ended up landing on the front yard of a home in Mahtomedi. Before landing, the van driver did ask the homeowners permission...Her teenager thought the hot air balloon was amazing and took out a cell phone to snap a few pictures of his own. But their dog, Daisy, who is afraid of regular balloons, was having her worst nightmare. For me however, it was just a fabulous adventure! If you ever have a chance to assist in a RE/MAX hot air balloon adventure of your own, don't turn it down. It was a great way to spend a Sunday evening!

Copyright 2009 Teri Eckholm http://www.terieckholm.com/

Change is Good! Teri Eckholm REALTOR® Moves to RE/MAX Specialists!

The late (and great) comedian George Carlin once quipped about stepping out of status quo; “I put a dollar in one of those change machines. Nothing Changed.” Dry humor yes, but a bit profound too…People seem to want change to happen to them without doing much of anything. But real positive change takes time and hard work. And, once the wheels are set into motion, the rewards are endless.

Just after Thanksgiving, I decided that I wanted to change my business in 2009. I spent over five wonderful years working as an agent under the Keller Williams Premier umbrella but sometimes a change will energize an individual and provide a more dynamic future. So without any decisions being made, I started interviewing brokers to see if there was a better fit out there for me and most importantly one that would provide additional benefits to my client base. I began researching smaller brokerages as I felt they would better fit needs. I contacted several but nothing felt right.

Fate played a role. In a Listingbook class, I was seated next to a fellow REALTOR® who I knew in the White Bear Lake area. She told me of changes that were taking place at the White Bear Lake RE/MAX office that she was affiliated with. A day later, I heard similar news from another trusted mortgage colleague. Intrigued, I contacted the owner/broker Mike Vanderheyden and listened to what RE/MAX Specialists had to offer. Small firm with innovative ideas. Redesigning itself to be poised for the future. Putting the needs of the clients first. Hmmmm….Sounds a lot like me.
So I took a risk and made the change. As of January 1, 2009 I am now proud part of the RE/MAX Specialists family.
Funny thing happened, when I made that leap off the bridge of change. A day after I called Mike and informed him of my decision, I received a call from Bob Stewart, Active Rain guru in Bellvue, WA asking if I was interested in being part of the Growth Leadership Marketing Program. I had read his post on the project months ago but Minneapolis/St Paul was not on the list of cities so I didn’t respond. Bob called me anyway. What an amazing opportunity that just sort of fell into my lap. The start up was put on hold until after the broker change but soon my readers will see weekly posts on this fantastic program.

And the positive energy didn’t stop there…After I decided to make my change, my phone started to ring like crazy. Things just started to happen!

• A referral from a long time friend.
• A “I need a house NOW” buyer from the internet.
• Showings on several of my listings during the usually slow Christmas week.

Sometimes change may not seem necessary but life’s forces are dynamic! One change can lead to others and create a field of positive energy. So take up the challenge: Make a change and reap the rewards in 2009!
If you are buying, selling or relocating to Minnesota and need help from a professional REALTOR®, give me a call or visit my website for a FREE Relocation Packet or Homebuyers Success Packet. I specialize in acreage and lakeshore properties in the north and east Twin Cities metro area including Ham Lake, Lino Lakes and all communities in the Forest Lake School District! Serving Anoka, Chisago, Ramsey and Washington Counties in Minnesota.
Buying a Home? Check out my new HOME BUYER'S BLOG!
Copyright 2009 terieckholm.com