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The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) assists active-duty military members, veterans and surviving spouses who wish to buy a house. The VA offers loans with fewer fees and competitive interest rates that can help military families afford to buy homes in a variety of financial circumstances.

Eligibility
Active-duty military members, reservists, National Guard and veterans are eligible for VA loans. Spouses of military members who died on active duty or as a result of a service-related disability are also eligible.

Active-duty members of the military usually qualify after they have served for six months. Reservists and members of the National Guard are typically eligible to apply after six years, but they become eligible after 181 days of service if they’re called to active duty. If they serve during a war, active-duty members, reservists and National Guard members become eligible after 90 days of service.

To apply for a VA loan, the borrower needs to obtain a Certificate of Eligibility (COE). In many cases, a lender can obtain the COE on behalf of the borrower.

Loan Terms
A VA loan is issued by a private lender and is guaranteed by the Department of Veterans Affairs. Since the loan is guaranteed, the borrower is not required to obtain mortgage insurance. This can save military members and veterans hundreds or thousands of dollars every year. A borrower doesn’t need to make a down payment to qualify for a VA loan.

VA loans do require a one-time funding fee for applicants. The fee amount depends on the type of veteran and whether he or she is making a down payment. Fees for reservists and members of the National Guard are slightly higher than those for active-duty members of the military. The fee is lower if the borrower makes a down payment.

Although the VA doesn’t require a minimum credit score to qualify for a loan, individual lenders do have requirements. Borrowers must also prove that they have enough income to cover the mortgage payments, and they shouldn’t have too much debt. The guidelines are, however, more flexible than they’re for private loans. Lenders will consider a borrowers overall financial circumstances.

The amount an eligible veteran can borrow depends on the location of the house. A VA loan can only be used to purchase a primary residence, not to buy or refinance a vacation or investment property.

The VA offers assistance to borrowers who are having trouble making their mortgage payments. It can negotiate with lenders directly to help struggling borrowers. Veterans may be able to work out alternate payment plans or modify the terms of the loan to avoid foreclosure.

Valuable Assistance for Military Families
Veterans who have served their country are eligible for many benefits, including assistance with buying a home. The VA offers loans with many attractive features”such as no down payment, no mortgage insurance and competitive rates”that can save veterans thousands of dollars compared to traditional loans so they can realize their dreams of homeownership.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

Here are the basics of what you need to know when using wood in the bathroom.

Choose the Right Type

Teak, ipe and cedar wood make great candidates, as they are naturally resistant to rot and moisture.

Ventilation Is Key

An exhaust fan will help to remove the steam and allow the wood to dry quickly after each use so that it doesnt get damaged over time.

Keep It Safe With a Sealant

Just as you would apply a sealant to your wooden deck, its wise to do so in the bathroom to protect the wood from moisture. This can be done with a natural oil, such as linseed oil.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

The suns ultraviolet rays can do more than cause sunburn and contribute to skin cancer. They can also damage your home, both outside and inside. Sunlight can cause siding, roofing, furniture, fabrics, and flooring to change and deteriorate over time.

How to Prevent Damage to Your Homes Exterior
A window can act like a magnifying glass and reflect sunlight, focusing it on a relatively small portion of a nearby houses siding. This can cause older vinyl siding to melt. If youve noticed that your siding has started to melt because of sunlight reflected off your neighbors windows, or if youre concerned about the possibility, planting trees or bushes around your house can protect the siding and increase your homes value. You can also replace your current siding with a newer model thats designed to resist damage from high temperatures.

The suns rays can cause roofing shingles to deteriorate, which can eventually lead to leaks. You can shield your roof from sun damage by applying a coating with high emissivity and reflectivity rates. It will create a waterproof barrier to draw heat away from the roof and keep the surface cooler.

How to Protect Belongings Inside Your Home
Sunlight streaming through windows can cause furniture, carpeting and artwork to gradually fade. You can protect your homes furnishings with curtains or shades, window film or UV-repelling sprays.

If you have leather furniture, a leather conditioner can help prevent fading and cracking. You can use a sealant to protect your wood furniture from discoloration. Choose a sealant thats appropriate for the type of wood used in your furniture.

Exposure to sunlight can also cause artwork to fade. Paintings on canvas can be treated with archival protection sprays, while framed art can be covered with museum-grade glass or UV-blocking acrylic.

Sunlight can damage hardwood floors and cause the color to change dramatically over time. If some areas are covered with furniture and rugs and others arent, the result can be a floor with a patchwork of different colors. You can protect your hardwood floors with pigment-based stains and finishes that contain UV inhibitors. Periodically rearranging rugs and furniture can also help prevent certain areas from becoming significantly discolored.

Protect Your Property From the Suns Effects
Many people dont realize how much damage sunlight can cause to their home until they notice serious problems and need to pay for repairs or replace furniture and other possessions. Fortunately, there are many simple but effective ways to protect your homes exterior and interior from the sun. Take action now to avoid expensive bills later.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

When its time to sell your home, you want it looking its best. This often means putting your designer hat on and doing a bit of staging. One of the many areas to consider breathing new life into is your shelving. Though often overlooked, shelves are an opportunity to strike a balance between functional storage and fashionable display. If youre looking to make your house more memorable, here are five tips for curating shelves that are stylish and creative.

Form and Function
First, consider your current shelving situation and determine if its time for an upgrade to the overall aesthetic. If you dont have built-ins, there are tons of different options that are easy to install, from floating shelves to open box shelves. Wood and glass are popular to use because of their versatility, though you should have a sense of how youll decorate your shelves before picking out materials.

Show Off Books
If you read on a Kindle or tablet, the reality is that your collection of books may not be seeing the use it once did. The good news, however, is that the books still look good on your shelves. Rather than putting the entire collection out in the living room, theres a much stronger design impact if you choose a handful of books that are visually pleasing or mean the most to you. If you have a vintage record collection, that works just as well.

Go Green
Houseplants can provide the perfect sense of balance amidst your other objects and artifacts. Cacti or succulents are fun and low-maintenance options that work especially well if youre going for just a few select items in a clutter-free space.

Exhibit Your Art
Give your home the feel of a gallery with a selection of artwork displayed on the shelves. Whether its handmade pottery, sculptures, or framed pictures that are leaning against the wall, this can be a surprising use of space that feels sophisticated. Its far from just using it as a place to store everyday odds and ends.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

Understand the differences between the interest rate and the APR when comparing mortgages so you can avoid overpaying for a home loan.

What is the Interest Rate?

The interest rate is the amount the lender will charge, based on market rates when you take out a mortgage and your credit score, in exchange for loaning you the principal amount.

What is the APR?

The annual percentage rate (APR) includes the interest rate, as well as other costs, such as loan origination fees, closing costs, mortgage insurance and discount points.

Which Mortgage is Best?

The interest rate can help you figure out how much you would pay each month, while the APR can give you an idea of how much you would pay over the life of the mortgage.

An online mortgage calculator can help you compare loan offers and figure out which loan would be the best option for you.

Get Professional Advice

A mortgage broker can explain your options and help you find a loan with competitive terms.

Published with permission from RISMedia.