Servicepersons called away from home or overseas may receive 12-month extensions to occupy homes financed with VA loans.
The VA guidelines state that a home financed with a military mortgage must be occupied by the VA-eligible borrower within a reasonable amount of time – usually 60 days after closing. For many, this requirement is easy to satisfy. But, for military members who are called to active duty overseas or away from their home bases, occupying a home purchased with a VA loan within 60 days is not feasible.
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs provides an extension for those who are deployed temporarily away from home and can show a planned date of return within 12 months. As long as the military member can move in upon return, the extension is typically granted.
It’s important to note that a military spouse can satisfy the regular occupancy requirement in the VA-eligible borrower’s stead without the need for the special extension. Only spouses have this privilege.
VA loans are intended to provide military members with a home loan benefit as a reward for dedicated service to our country. The mortgage program is intended to assist military members in becoming homeowners and to help VA borrowers keep their homes.
VA home loans have many unique features including:
- Zero Down Payment up the Conforming Loan Limits
- No Private Mortgage Insurance Premiums
- Interest Rate Competitive with Other Mortgage Programs
- No Prepayment Penalties
- Limited Closing Costs and Fees with Seller-paid Costs Allowed
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