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More homebuyers seek government-backed loans as an affordability lifeline

Housing Wire

As a result, more buyers are turning to products like Federal Housing Administration (FHA) loans, which accounted for 24% of primary home purchases in 2024, and U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) loans, which made up 10%, according to purchase loan lock data from Optimal Blue.

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Patton Gade, top LO for VA loans, heads to UMortgage

Housing Wire

Patton Gade, the top producing loan officer for VA home loans in the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, will continue to originate loans and hold the national director of military lending position at UMortgage. He’ll join forces with fellow veteran loan originator Jay Bunte in the brokerage firm.

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As the VA loan turns 80, its economic impact is in the trillions

Housing Wire

An analysis released Wednesday by Columbia, Missouri -based lender Veterans United Home Loans revealed that the home loan program through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has contributed $3.9 The VA loan program — which was established in 1944 through the GI Bill — will celebrate its 80th anniversary on June 22.

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Better launches fully digital VA loan with no minimum down payment

Housing Wire

Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) loans through its Tinman platform. We’ve been working toward launching a VA product for the past two years,” Vishal Garg, founder and CEO of Better, said in an interview with HousingWire. Better’s rate for VA loans was 6.375% as of Tuesday afternoon, the company said.

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Loan officers are seeing an uptick in FHA, VA demand

Housing Wire

The move in government refinances was driven by a 75% increase in VA loans, which have been prone to large changes in recent months. On-the-ground observations Loan officers say they’re seeing an increase in government loan demand. Certain geographic areas have higher shares of government loans.

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Will rising interest rates impact VA loans for first-time homebuyers?

Housing Wire

The VA loan is an important financing tool for VA-eligible borrowers to achieve their homeownership dream. In 2021 one in two VA borrowers was a first-time homebuyer (FTHB). . The average VA FTHB’s interest rate was 2.90% and the quarterly FTHB VA purchase loan volume stayed elevated.

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loanDepot promotes David Smith to vice president of national VA lending

Housing Wire

loanDepot has appointed David Smith to the newly-created position of vice president of national VA lending, the company announced on Monday. In this role, Smith, a former Army sergeant, will oversee the lender’s VA lending strategy.

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