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VA Manual Underwriting: Your Second Chance at Home Loan Approval

Sometimes, a VA borrower does everything right — good credit, stable income, strong eligibility — and still hears:

“Sorry, we can’t get you approved.”

But as Vetted VA professional Scott Schang reminds veterans, that denial may say more about the lender’s limitations than your qualifications.

If your lender isn’t experienced with manual underwriting, they might stop at a “Refer” decision from the automated underwriting system (AUS) instead

VA Manual Underwriting: Your Second Chance at Home Loan Approval2025-10-13T13:10:48-07:00

Refinancing or Buying a Home After Forbearance: What Veterans Should Know

In the wake of COVID-19, many homeowners — including veterans — entered mortgage forbearance to manage financial hardship. For months, one major question lingered: When will I be able to refinance or buy again?

On May 19, 2020, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac issued temporary guidance clarifying those rules. These policies helped reopen the door for responsible homeowners who had paused payments during the pandemic — and

Refinancing or Buying a Home After Forbearance: What Veterans Should Know2025-10-13T13:18:08-07:00

Mortgage Forbearance Fears: What Veterans Need to Know Before Pausing Payments

When the CARES Act was signed into law in March 2020, it brought welcome relief to millions of homeowners affected by COVID-19 — including veterans and service members with VA-backed mortgages.

But with that relief came confusion. Terms like forbearance and payment deferral began circulating online, often without full explanations or context.

As Vetted VA professional Scott Schang warned early in the pandemic:

“Our fear

Mortgage Forbearance Fears: What Veterans Need to Know Before Pausing Payments2025-10-13T13:21:56-07:00

VA IRRRL After Forbearance: What Veterans Need to Know to Refinance Safely

The COVID-19 pandemic created financial challenges for millions of Americans — and veterans were no exception. As businesses shut down, many homeowners turned to mortgage forbearance under the CARES Act to pause payments and stabilize their finances.

For veterans with VA-backed home loans, this raised a new question: Can I still refinance after forbearance?

The answer arrived on June 30,

VA IRRRL After Forbearance: What Veterans Need to Know to Refinance Safely2025-10-13T13:26:20-07:00

VA Loans After COVID-19 Forbearance: Updated Guidance for Veterans Buying or Refinancing

The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted nearly every household in America. Businesses shut down, millions lost income, and many homeowners faced impossible financial choices.

If you’re a veteran with a VA-backed home loan, you were protected under the CARES Act, which provided options for mortgage forbearance — a temporary pause in payments for those facing hardship.

But after forbearance ended, a new question emerged:

Can

VA Loans After COVID-19 Forbearance: Updated Guidance for Veterans Buying or Refinancing2025-10-13T13:33:59-07:00

VA and CFPB Warn Veterans: Beware of “Too Good to Be True” Refinance Offers

Everyone knows the age old saying: "if it sounds too good to be true..."  Well, consider this your official warning. In an article originally posted by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, both entities have released a joint warning order to service members and veterans with VA home loans.

VA and CFPB Warn Veterans: Beware of “Too Good to Be True” Refinance Offers2025-10-13T13:40:46-07:00
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