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Tampa VA Mortgage | Loans Like Las Vegas...Cards and Wedding Chapels

Tampa veteran home seekers looking for a mortgage often call and ask general questions. The most recent question came to me over a game of cards. Let me explain...

We have very good friends here in South Tampa. They recently came over for dinner and a friendly game of Euchre. Over cards, we were discussing our friends upcoming wedding. They are planning on getting married in October of 2008. Our friends told us they were also planning to purchase a new home in the upcoming year before the wedding and were asking questions about VA Mortgages, as Jim is a veteran. They want to purchase a home together using Jim's VA Eligibility. The issue we have, they both need to be on the loan to qualify for the house price they are looking for in South Tampa. The bigger issue with their VA mortgage, they are not married, and as already noted, they both need to be on the loan.

Mortgages that are guaranteed through the VA require the borrower and co-borrower be married. Now, there are exceptions to this rule for widows and in a few other cases, but in general there is a required legal bond.

Guess what this means, our friends could be headed to the Chapel of Love!

Have questions about your options for a VA mortgage in Tampa Bay? Email me, your Tampa Mortgage Expert, and ask away.

Read other articles on VA Mortgages:

VA Loans | Should I Use My Eligibility?

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Read my original article and more at My Tampa Mortgage Blog

Posted by Leah Ross ~ Tampa, Florida Mortgage on 08/15/2007 08:38 PM

Comments (28)

tampa mortgage, tampa va mortgage, va eligibility

This post has been included in Florida Information Hillsborough County, FL Information Tampa, FL Information

28 Comments on Tampa VA Mortgage | Loans Like Las Vegas...Cards and Wedding Chapels

AUG

2007

Wow!! Sounds like fun...and a possible wedding now too? Wow...quite a card game I'll say!!

***They're lucky to have YOU in their court Leah! You are the BEST in Tampa!!

Susie ~ You have to love what can come up over a game of cards! Thanks for the comment Susie!

Maybe they can get a Britney wedding.....VA is a good deal but ya have to follow the rules...

Leo ~ Fantastic idea...vegas here we come! Thanks for the comment!

I wonder if your dinner would now be tax deductible...it was business! I guess that is as good a reason as any to get married. It seems like most people don't bother any more.

Hi Leah,

We've actually even had the same thing happen in our office. It's been quite a while, but we've had clients who have done the same thing.

Leah.... this is such a great point. I don't do many VA loans and I am not a true expert, but I do know the basics to do it right. And I knew about this because I ran into this problem about 8 years ago. Not everyone knows about this. Good job...

jeff belonger

AUG

2007

Leah; I would not have thought about this.... great point - so, are they really heading to Vegas?

Leah good information about the VA loan program. I wouldn't have thought about it. I can tell you my elopement to Vegas on April Fools Day was the best thing I ever did!

Leah, My clients had to learn that the hard way.They told me they had the VA loan so we went house hunting. We put an offer on a house come to find out he had left out a little detail, he was not married to his girlfriend.

Leah,

Why don't they just wait..prices will be coming down even more and then once they get married they can both be on the loan?

Leah, "here comes the bride". Good point, as I didn't know that about VA loans, surprised it hasn't been challenged. But, very good information to know.

If they don't want to wait to buy until they are married, there are some other great programs out there that they might qualify for. I'm not an expert on VA loans either, only doing a handful of them, but if you have to wait over a year to buy a home, interest rates and/or home prices may rise in that time. I would try to give them ALL of their options.

Some fantastic points here Leah! Never Played Euchre, but Chris and I are BIG Spades fans! ...and here I thought you weren't even settled yet! :o)

Cute article. Way to put a positive spin on a VA restriction!

Leah,

You do have a way with words. Did you go to journalism school? I wonder where you learned so much about VA loans? Oh, I almost forgot that you are one of the few loan officers who were actually trained to do there job and not just given a title, a rate sheet and some business cards. You are a true professional. Thanks for teaching me so much lately.

I love Eucre and matchmaking could be fun too....

Leah, great info for veterans in the Tampa area. I have heard these loans can be tricky, consumers are lucky to have you in the area.

Lynda ~ It happens everywhere! Aren't we living in a day and age where being married isn't the end all be all anymore?

Jeff ~ Thanks for sharing your experience! I am glad to know I am not the only one sending my friends to the justice of the peace ;)

Thesa ~ Probably the court house! We talked about it with them and are considering making it a double date...ha!

Ashley ~ Glad to share the info. So, was Elvis involved? Do tell...

Mana ~ Rough lesson learned! Thanks for sharing!

Neal ~ They aren't in a rush, I doubt they will do anything in the next year. They were just surprised that they had to be married, they had no clue!

Missy ~ Dum dum dum dum (wedding song)... We'll see which comes first, the shotgun wedding or the real wedding ;)

Michael ~ There is so much to learn at each loan program...we are exploring all of their options, it just so happens that the VA options is their best. We'll figure it out ;) Helping one family at a time...

Katrina ~ Thanks for the comment. I don't know how to play spades, but I am a quick learner ;)

Kathy ~ Thanks for the comment!

Jim ~ Well, I couldn't have done it without a great instructor like you! You taught me the ins and outs of all the mortgage programs! Kudos to you!

Chris ~ Maybe we can set up a long distance game of Euchre ;)

Stephanie ~ Thanks for the comment, there are some funny ins and outs with these loans. Rest assured Tampa VA buyers are in good hands!

AUG

2007

There are some pretty silly rules out there - and as much as we may not like them or think they are unfair and discriminatory.........I am glad you know your stuff and were able to guide your friends. Who won?

AUG

2007

Leah, Great post... Hope I guess I hear wedding bells....Good info on the VA product.

Leah - Thanks for keeping us informed. I did not know that! Euchre is my favorite card game and I didn't know anyone outside the Midwest palyed......:)

AUG

2007

The more you know, the better your service! Thanks for the information!

Ines ~ Girls won...actually we played again this weekend and girls won again..haha! Girls rule!

Matt ~ We'll see, they are still talking about the option of getting married before, we are still in discussions!

Paula ~ You may not know, but I was born and raised in Indiana...hence the Euchre!

Bill & Barbara Jo ~ Thank you for the comment! Information is good for everyone!

AUG

2007

Leah - great info - as usual you are the Tampa Bay Mortgage Expert

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