The VA Loan and the Funding Fee
Saturday, June 26th, 2010When you take out a VA loan, you can be saved from closing costs and down payments. However, there’s no escaping the funding fees. Funding fees are fees that veterans who want to take out a loan have to pay. The law itself requires the payment of this fee. As of press time, the rate of funding fees is 2.15% for the first no-downpayment loan taken out by an eligible veteran. The second time borrower without down payment has to pay a funding fee of 3.3% of the loan amount.
The funding fee for your second loan is higher because you have already benefited from the loan once before and have had the chance to collect equity or save up for a down payment for whatever expense they are loaning money for.
The amount of funding fee that has to be paid also differ for what kind of loan you are taking out and what your status as a veteran is. For example, if you are a regular military member, you pay 2.15% for your first loan without down payment, then 1.5% with a 10% down payment, and 1.25% with a down payment exceeding 10%. On second time loans, the rates increase to 3.3% for no down payment, 1.50% for 10% down payment, and 1.25% for down payments exceeding 10%.
The funding fee you pay for your VA loan serves as your main contribute to the costs incurred in providing you with the benefits you receive.