Tom Kelly The Real Estate Adviser

May 21, 2009

The Real Estate Adviser: VA's streamline refinance offers an attractive option

One of the best — and easiest — streamline refinance programs is available to consumers who now have a loan guaranteed by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

The VA streamline, known as the Interest Rate Reduction Loan, has no “season” requirement, meaning that borrowers who refinanced recently are still eligible. In addition, the loans (www.homeloans.va.gov) entail little documentation and usually do not require an appraisal.

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Previous columns:

• The Real Estate Adviser: Reserves need better explanation at closing, 05-14-2009
• The Real Estate Adviser: Reverse mortgages: New safeguards and lenders, 05-07-2009
• The Real Estate Adviser: Is it time to sell the family home?, 04-30-2009
• Tom Kelly: Converting your home to a rental gets harder, 04-23-2009
• The Real Estate Adviser: Real estate in Mexico continues to appreciate, 04-16-2009
• The Real Estate Adviser: News reports can't dim Mexico's allure, 04-09-2009
• The Real Estate Adviser: How to age-proof your house, 04-02-2009
• The Real Estate Adviser: Will boomers retire with any assets left?, 03-26-2009