VA Resources
STARTING THE HOMEBUYING PROCESS
VA Home Loan Checklist
When applying for a VA loan, have this information ready to make your application process as streamlined as possible.
- Your basic information like name, address, phone number
- Previous addresses for the past 2 years
- Date of birth and your years of school completed
- Social security numbers for all applicants
- Copy of valid ID such as drivers license or government ID
- Know where you plan to purchase your home
- The age of any dependents
2.) Military Information
Have a copy of your DD214 if you have separated from the military
- Complete your COE (Certificate of Eligibility)
- Statement of Service from your commanding officer (If you are on active duty)
If you do not have your Certificate of Eligibility or have any questions your Benchmark loan officer will help.
3.) Employment/Income
- Have all your employment information from the last 2 years. This includes names of the companies, a contact number, and dates of employments
- Have 30 days worth of Paystubs or 2 recent pay statements
- Last 2 years of W2’s
Our Give Back
Our Annual Boot’n & Shoot’n event has been dubbed “The most patriotic day in Texas”
We have raised over $5,000,000 for veterans organizations focused on helping combat veterans with traumatic brain injuries ending the veteran suicide epidemic, and taking care of the special operations community.
Our Veteran Experience
The VA Loan provides up to 100% financing for veterans who qualify. This allows veterans to purchase a home with no down payment or required Mortgage Insurance (MI).
At Benchmark, our motto is to always do right by the veteran. That means ensuring veterans get the American dream they served to protect. When it comes to VA loans, our team of certified Veteran Specialists are the special forces of the mortgage industry.
1) Verify Eligibility
The first step is to verify your eligibility for a VA loan by obtaining your Certificate of Eligibility (COE). The COE is issued by the Department of Veterans Affairs, and Benchmark can help you determine your eligibility for a VA home loan by acquiring your COE on your behalf, completely free of charge, as a service to veterans.
2) Apply and Provide Documentation
Provide your Loan Officer with all military, personal, and financial documentation required to get Pre-Approved. Benchmark’s loan originators are Certified Veteran Mortgage Specialists with the knowledge and passion to help veterans like you achieve the American dream of homeownership.
3) Pull Credit
Benchmark will, with your permission, pull your credit. Benchmark’s minimum credit score requirement for VA financing is 580 (some restrictions may apply).
4) Approval
After thorough review of VA eligibility, credit, income and asset documentation your Benchmark mortgage professional will…
- Issue a Pre-Approval to present Realtors, and you may begin the home shopping process.
- Consult with you on any issues that result in a denial of a Pre-Approval Letter.
- If necessary, refer you to a Credit Repair Consultant.
5) Make Your Offer
Once you find your dream home and are ready to make an offer, it is extremely important that your Realtor understands how to properly “Present a VA Offer that Sellers Will Accept”. We train Realtors on the VA loan process and how to make a strong VA offer.
6) Processing and Underwriting
You have found your home, made an offer, and are now under contract to purchase. At this point, your loan documentation will be submitted to one of Benchmark’s experienced VA Underwriters for review.
Our underwriters are experts on the VA guidelines, and have a history of succeeding in situations that other lenders have said were impossible.
7) VA Appraisal
Benchmark approaches the VA appraisal process more aggressively than most lenders. Our appraisal team will ensure this process goes smoothly for all parties involved for both buyers and sellers. We have a dedicated team for all VA appraisal orders.
8) Closing
Once the loan is “Clear to Close”, a closing date will be scheduled. Once you have finalized all of your paperwork, you will take ownership of your new home, and be presented with keys. Congratulations, you are now a proud veteran homeowner!
80+ Branches Licensed in 49 States and DC
Benchmark is ready to help make your American Dream a reality.
For Realtors
Benchmark advocates for veterans to use their VA home loan.
A veteran — whether active duty, discharged, retired, or reserve — is someone who at one point in his or her life, wrote a blank check made payable to the “United States of America,” for an amount up to and including his or her life. At Benchmark, it is our mission to honor our veterans accordingly.
Zero down and no monthly mortgage insurance: these are two of the amazing benefits that qualifying veterans have earned by serving our country. Accepting an offer with VA financing is one very small way you can say “thank you” to our service men and women.
Benefits of working with Benchmark for your VA clients:
- Zero Down
- No monthly mortgage insurance
- Multiple VA loans usage is allowed in certain scenarios
- Qualified surviving spouses may use the benefit
- Quick Closings
- Local lending teams (No call centers, your clients will speak to a loan officer)
- In house underwriting, closing, and funding team
- Disabled vets may be exempt from the funding fee
Our commitment to the seller and the listing agent
VA loans are our specialty. At Benchmark, we are approved for automatic processing of VA loans. We have also taken the extra steps to become “LAPP” approved under VA’s Lender Appraisal Processing Program. This means that our loans are processed and closed in-house without waiting for the VA’s approval of the veteran or property. Taking these extra steps allows us to reduce the time required to close a VA loan.
6 Reasons to go with Benchmark for VA Home Loans
- Benchmark has very few guideline overlays.
- We know the VA Guidelines and the guideline exceptions.
- We offer a wide variety of VA products.
- Speedy closings
- Free COE — No trips to the VA
- We give back: Our annual fundraiser has donated millions of dollars directly towards veteran focused organizations like Brain Treatment Foundation and Third Option.
VA Promise
No more will the veteran be taken advantage of. We have changed the way va lending is done. We will always do right by the veteran and provide first-class service that ensures our veterans receive the American Dream of homeownership they deserve.
Get Your COE
(certificate of eligibility)
Select your status, and submit the form below.
Please use the dropdown above to select your current situation. The requirements for eligibility will display here, and your selection will be sent to your loan officer with the COE form below.
Veteran
Requirements for Eligibility:
DD Form 214 - required to have a copy showing the character of service (item 24) and the narrative reason for separation (item 28).
Current or former National Guard or Reserve member who has been activated Federal active service
Requirements for Eligibility:
DD Form 214 - required to have a copy showing the character of service (item 24) and the narrative reason for separation (item 28).
Active Duty Servicemember
Requirements for Eligibility:
A current statement of service:
- signed by (or by the direction of):
the adjutant, personnel office, or commander of the unit or higher headquarters - showing:
Your full name
Social Security Number
Date of birth
Entry date on active duty
The duration of any lost time
The name of the command providing the information
Current National Guard or Reserve member who has never been Federal active service
Requirements for Eligibility:
Statement of service:
- signed by (or by the direction of):
the adjutant, personnel officer or commander of your unit or higher headquarters - showing:
Your full name
Social Security Number
Date of birth
Entry date on duty
The total number of creditable years of service
The duration of any lost time
The name of the command providing the information
Discharged member of the National Guard who has never been activated for Federal active service
Requirements for Eligibility:
NGB Form 22, Report of Separation and Record of Service, for each period of National Guard service
-AND-
NGB Form 23, Retirement Points Accounting, and proof of the character of service
Discharged member of the Selected Reserve who has never been activated for Federal active service
Requirements for Eligibility:
Copy of your latest annual retirement points statement and evidence of honorable service
You are a Surviving Spouse in Receipt of DIC (Dependency & Indemnity Compensation) benefits
Requirements for Eligibility:
Submit VA form 26-1817 and veteran’s DD214 ( if available)
Include veteran’s and surviving spouse’s social security number on the 26-1817 form
You are a Surviving Spouse and are not receiving DIC (Dependency & Indemnity Compensation) benefits
Requirements for Eligibility:
Submit the following to the appropriate Compensation and Pension office:
- VA form 21-534
- DD214 (if available)
- Marriage License
- Death Certificate or DD Form 1300 – Report of Casualty
- Please find the mailing address for your state to send the VA 21-534 on the following link. PMC States
