VA Loans

After you’ve been approved for your VA Home Loan, the next step is to start looking for your home (if you haven’t already decided). Depending on how you do it, it can either be stressful or a fun and exciting thing to do.
Although most issues should be caught by the inspector, you should always be vigilant in looking for possible problems with the home, especially if you’re looking at older homes. Below, we’ve compiled a list of issues that can be a pain to deal with that you should look out for when searching for a home.

Mold

Although not the worst thing to have to deal with, mold can be tricky to completely get rid of. While most molds aren’t going to hurt you, there are a few that can. If the inspector finds mold but doesn’t say what kind it is, you should have a second opinion come in and tell you what kind it is and how to best get rid of it. Alternatively, if you want a little D.I.Y. project, check out a guide on common mold types, how to identify them, and the best ways to get rid of each type.

Foundation Issues

Any foundation issues will most likely only be noticed by the inspector but can cause major issues in the future. The fixes for a foundational issue can often times get expensive unless it’s a very small fix. It’s not something you can just ignore, as it can deteriorate further and cause major problems.
You’ll have to decide if the house is worth enough to you that you want to fix it. When deciding this, you can give your local foundation repair company a call and get a free estimate to see how much money will go into fixing it.

Roof Issues

Roof problems can be another issue that can be costly to deal with depending on the severity. Something minor like a small leak is easily dealt with, but replacing an entire roof will be expensive. If the roof is just old in general, it may be smart to have a roofing company replace your shingles.
Shingles can get beat up in the sun, and shingles constructed with new technology will perform better than old ones. You could also choose a different roofing material like ceramic tile, but there are pros and cons to each material, so be sure to do your research!

Old Wiring

In older homes, a common problem we see is old wires deteriorating from time. A wire that is starting to deteriorate can be a very dangerous hazard, as it can easily spark a fire if the metal is exposed or broken. Technology in electrical systems have come a long way, and replacing an old wiring system is an easy way to keep your peace of mind. It can be expensive, but definitely something that’s worth it if you want the home.

Missed Issues

If you or an inspector misses an issue, or a new issue develops while living in your home and it’s a little out of your budget, talk to your VA Home Loans Officer about refinancing. They’ll let you know what’s possible and what you qualify for, and recommend the best plan for you to take action.

When looking at building or renovating a home, there are many decisions you have to make in order to customize your home how you want it. One of those tough decisions is picking the exterior material of your home. You may not have a choice if your Home Owners Association is strict on making the houses look similar, but if not, there are several different materials to choose from that all have their own pros and cons. Here are some of the best options for exterior materials to use to personalize your home’s exterior!.

1.Natural Wood

The first, most obvious option is a wood exterior. While it can be a plain option, it gives you the choice to repaint as often as you want. If you get tired of the color of your house, it’s easily something you could do on your own with the right equipment. If you don’t want to or can’t do it yourself, you can call a professional painter to get an estimate on your house.
A downside to a wood exterior is that it’s less fire-resistant than other materials that could be used. You also have upkeep about every five years to prevent wood rot. If you do end up having to replace your exterior wood, give VA Home Loans a call and talk about options for refinancing. They can help you figure out the plan that will work best for your situation, and get your house looking great again.

2.Engineered Wood

If you aren’t interested in the upkeep that comes with a true wood exterior, you can opt for an engineered wood exterior. This option is quite a bit cheaper than the true wood material, requires less maintenance, and is better for the environment. With engineered wood, you still have the option to repaint as frequently as you desire. It takes away a lot of the cons that come with natural wood, but engineered wood comes with the possibility of moisture getting trapped in it, which can lead to mold growth.

3.Stucco

Completely different from the previous two options, stucco is a popular exterior in places with a hotter climate. Stucco is fairly similar in price range as the engineered wood, costing around $9000 to cover a 1500 square foot home. It comes with advantages such as high durability, natural fire resistance, and a wide range of colors. Stucco requires little maintenance from the homeowner and can last up to 80 years. Stucco can vary in price based on color and square footage, so call your local professional to receive an estimate on your home.

4.Brick

An older option, but still completely viable, is a full brick exterior of your home. Brick requires almost no maintenance and its look will stay the same for the most part. On top of that, brick has the best fire resistance of any of the other materials. Brick is, however, the most expensive of the materials listed above. You can expect to pay around $20,000 for a full brick exterior on a 1500 square foot home. If you’re looking at building a home, talk to a VA Home Loans Officer about your loan options so you can get that beautiful brick exterior.

Regardless of what material you use on the exterior of your home, VA Home Loans of Idaho can help you. We are always willing to help figure out the option that will work best for you.

Building a home from the ground up can be an exciting but stressful process. Many things go into the design and construction of a new home, and with the help of a VA Home Loan, you can work on creating the house of your dreams.

Picking a Location

Choosing the right location for your home is one of the most important factors to consider when building a home; the location is permanent, design and decor isn’t! Think about if you want to buy a lot in an established neighborhood or a piece of land away from the city. If you have kids or plan on having kids in the future, search around for schools in the area and consider the commute to the school you choose. Are you looking to build a bigger house with a backyard, or a smaller house closer to amenities? Choosing the location of your new home is a big decision, so take the time to make sure you want to commit to it.

Hiring the Right People

Between contractors, designers, plumbers, and more, there are a lot of people that come together to make your dream house a reality. You will be coordinating with all of these people on a daily basis, so it is critical to select a group that will not only do a great job but that you get along with too. Shop around, look at reviews, and talk with various people about what you want to do with the house. Their expertise might tell you that something you want to do can’t be done, or offer opportunities to make your house even better. Once you select a crew, keep an honest, open conversation with them so that everyone is on the same page throughout the building process.

Budgeting

When building a new home costs can add up quickly, so make sure to create a solid budget ahead of time. Talking with your VA Loan Officer and presenting your plan ahead of time can make the process of getting a loan a little less confusing. Additionally, it’s important to coordinate with the various professionals working on the build to create a budget for each phase of the project. Prioritize what you want in the house, so if the time comes where you have to choose between one thing or the other because of cost, you already know where the money should go. When budgeting out the build of the house, it’s paramount that you include a little wiggle room for unforeseen costs and additional expenses. Know beforehand that not everything will go perfectly just the way you want it, and plan ahead so you will have the funds to cover it.

If you are considering building a new home, VA Home Loans of Idaho will help you acquire the funding you need and be there throughout the process of creating a new place for you to call home.