Tips for Screening Real Estate Agents Who Work with VA Loans

Posted by Lauren Schneider on Tuesday, November 12th, 2019 at 9:32am.

How to Find Real Estate Agents Skilled in Working with VA LoansThrough the VA home loan program, servicemembers, veterans, and other eligible individuals can start their journey toward Black Forest homeownership. There are many requirements to pay close attention to, however, in finding an eligible property for sale. Real estate agents can make this process much easier and more approachable, but it is important to find the right one. To do so, use this guide to learn how to screen real estate agents who work with VA loans.

For informational purposes only. Always consult with a licensed real estate professional before proceeding with any real estate transaction.

Ask About Their Experience

To best serve the needs of the homebuyer, real estate agents need to have experience in helping people buy properties with VA home loans. Their experience goes a long way in preventing common issues. They may help with:

  • Alleviating seller misconceptions by submitting a detailed offer
  • Ensuring the property is one to likely pass appraisal
  • Helping sellers understand when they need to complete improvement tasks

Through their experience, they can anticipate any issues that might arise and take the time to mitigate them. This helps decrease stress on the homebuyer and ensures they can purchase their ideal property without an issue.

Inquire About Their Communication Style

Communication is key when it comes to finding and buying the perfect home. And this goes double for properties purchased through the VA home loan program. Real estate agents need to use all the communication channels at their disposal to keep homebuyers informed and ready to make the next move.

When these agents commit to using emails, phone calls, and text to stay in touch with homebuyers, they dramatically streamline the process. They also need to maintain these open communication lines set up between sellers and their agents. If they do not have a system set up and are generally non-responsive, then homebuyers should look elsewhere to ensure their VA home loan purchase goes smoothly.

Verify They Understand the Appraisal Process

Before homebuyers can purchase a property with a VA home loan, it must pass a strict appraisal process. This process can take a whole lot of time and money if homebuyers select properties without a chance of passing. Real estate agents can assist in vetting the property from the start and determining if it has a chance to pass appraisal.

Through their research and knowledge, they can guide homebuyers to locations meeting all the lender guidelines. They may check for the following:

  • Heating devices meet all indicated standards
  • Property has a clean and reliable potable water supply
  • All sewage disposal systems are up to par
  • Home can provide hot water on demand

As they look through the property details, they should be able to tell if it will meet the minimum property requirements assigned by the VA. That way, homebuyers will not waste time on locations that will not pass this important inspection.

Attend Showings and Confirm Their Knowledge

Once homebuyers thoroughly vet the skills and experience of their real estate agent, all that is left to do is attend showings and confirm their knowledge. By giving their preferred agent a try, they can see their expertise in action and make sure they made the right choice. Their agent should be a constant source of information and support through the homebuying process, helping to alleviate concerns and provide direction.

If homebuyers find their agent does not meet their expectations, they can move on and find another agent who does. They are not locked in to working with any given agent, especially ones that are not providing the right level of service and support.

Taking the time to find the right real estate agent is well worth the effort. Once they find just the right person for the job, they can move forward in locating a suitable property for sale with confidence they are on the right path.

For informational purposes only. Always consult with a licensed real estate professional before proceeding with any real estate transaction.

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