VA Home Loans: A Powerful Expression of Gratitude

At Cambria® Mortgage™, we’re proud to specialize in VA home loans, a powerful loan program available to veterans and other qualified military personnel. Read on to learn more about the program’s many benefits.

With Fourth of July fast approaching, now’s a great time to celebrate the millions of individuals who’ve served our country. At Cambria Mortgage, we’re honored to help these courageous women and men reap the benefits they’ve earned through service. We’re proud to be authorized locally to underwrite VA home loans, available exclusively to veterans, active-duty personnel, reservists, members of the National Guard, and eligible surviving spouses.

An Array of Exclusive Benefits

Backed by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), the VA home loan program is designed to make home ownership easy and affordable. VA home loans can be used for the purchase of a primary residence, such as a single-family home, loft, or condominium. If you do a cash-out refinance on an existing VA or non-VA mortgage, you can use the proceeds for any purpose, including improving a primary residence. The VA loan program offers many exclusive benefits, low closing costs, competitive interest rates, and more.

No savings for a down payment? No problem. One of the greatest benefits of the VA home loan program is that it doesn’t require a down payment, allowing many individuals the opportunity to purchase homes when they normally couldn’t under a traditional mortgage. VA home loans also don’t require private mortgage insurance.

Available to Qualified Military Personnel

To qualify for a VA home loan, an individual must meet at least one of the following criteria:

  • Served 90 consecutive days of active service during wartime
  • Served 181 days of active service during peacetime
  • Served more than six years in the National Guard or Reserves
  • Be a spouse of a service member who died in the line of duty or as the result of a service-related disability

Your Service, Our Honor

Our VA loan experts will help you obtain a certificate of eligibility from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and determine whether a VA home loan is right for you. Once you’ve received a quote, your Cambria Mortgage loan officer can explain your loan limit, loan terms and other key facts, answer any questions, and help you make the right decision.

Affordability Just Increased for Tons of Buyers!

Financing a home just became more affordable for hundreds of thousands of buyers… News recently dropped that Mortgage Insurance will cost less on new FHA home loans! Beginning March 20, most FHA loans will carry lower mortgage insurance premiums. Costs are based on loan amount, so savings will be even higher on pricier homes. With lower costs, you'll save on your monthly payment and require less income to qualify for the mortgage you want!

Your Dream Home & a More Affordable Payment… Yes, You Can Have Both!

For those who are looking to purchase a home in the near future, it’s inevitable that you’ve begun to worry about interest rates rising and how that may affect your home financing journey. When rates are low, it’s much easier to justify purchasing a home. But today, with interest rates increasing, it can feel a bit more scary. Fortunately, Cambria Mortgage is now offering 3-2-1, 2-1 and 1-0 temporary buydowns on Conventional, FHA, VA and USDA fixed rate purchase loans. 

The Truth Behind Inflated Headlines

The headlines have been heavy with talk of inflation, high interest rates and even the possibility of a recession lately. Many may be wondering what this means in general, but especially what this means for the housing market. It’s easy to get wrapped up in the panic of it all, so we’re laying out the facts. Here’s what you need to know about what’s really behind all these headlines…

In 2022 Cash (Out) is King

Nothing lasts forever… Including tremendously low interest rates. Even if it is ever-so-slightly, in 2022 interest rates are expected to rise. Over the past few years though, home values have appreciated at an incredible pace. For the refinance sector, these factors draw the majority of consumers away from rate and term refinances and point them toward a cash-out focus instead. Most current homeowners have built up quite a bit of equity, which should theoretically make qualifying for a cash-out refinance fairly easy for most. So is it the right move for you? We’ve laid out the most common uses for this type of refinancing so you can explore the possibilities. Like always, your team at Cambria Mortgage is here to help and support you in your home financing journey. Don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions or to begin the process.

Veterans: You’ve Earned These Exclusive Programs & Savings

November is truly a month of gratitude. Not only do the holidays start inching nearer with Thanksgiving at the forefront, but we also celebrate our nation’s heroes on Veterans Day. Cambria Mortgage recognizes it is a great honor and privilege to serve those who have served our country. Though it will never suffice in return for what we’ve received from our Veterans, we are proud to specialize in VA loans and offer exclusive savings to Veterans at closing. Are you a Veteran? Read on to learn more about the benefits you’re entitled to, and of course… Thank you for your service!

Non-traditional employment? You may need a non-traditional mortgage solution.

For many people, being their own boss and owning their own business has been the ultimate employment goal. In light of COVID, many of these people are choosing now to take the leap and make their dreams a reality. According to government data from the second quarter of 2021, more Americans than ever are leaving their jobs to chase their dreams of entrepreneurship. While that all sounds exciting, it can put a crimp in your homeownership plans if you are not prepared. Read more for how Cambria Mortgage can help find the right program for your employment situation.

Ready to Own a VRBO or Airbnb IRL?

Have you gotten bit by the travel bug? You’re not the only one. The desire for people to get out of the surroundings they have been in pretty constantly for the last 18 months is increasing the demand for short term rentals. If you have ever had interest in owning an investment property, now may be the time to take the plunge and purchase your first. Not sure where to start? We have you covered. Read on for some tips on taking the plunge.

Current Mortgage Industry Q & A

2020 was just about the craziest year in recent history for many reasons, but the mortgage industry provided one of very few bright spots. Rates were at all time lows and seemed to get lower every week. We are now halfway through 2021 and the surprises in the mortgage world just keep coming. Read on for some commonly asked questions and our best attempts to answer them.

The Mortgage Process: Part 5, Closing

With most of the steps of the mortgage process in the rearview mirror, it is now time to cross the finish line and close on your new home. Phew! What does the closing process look like? Read on for what to expect when you come to the closing table.

The Mortgage Process: Part 4, Processing and Underwriting

Pre-approval? Check. Offer on the perfect house accepted? Check. Mortgage application process completed? Check. Ok, so what is next? Well, this step is really for us rather than for you. Up next in the mortgage process is Processing and Underwriting. Read on to learn more about these next steps.

The Mortgage Process: Part 3, Application

You have found “the house” and your offer has been accepted… Really exciting stuff! But what’s next? When you initially completed your application, upon review and approval, your lender either provided a pre-qualification or a pre-approval letter. The terms are similar, but not the same. A pre-qualification is a pretty vague application including very basic pieces of information. While this information may have allowed your lender to give you the initial OK to search for homes... If you chose this route, now that you have found the house you are going to purchase, it is time to revisit that application and add more specific documents and information to keep your loan file moving along in the process.

The Mortgage Process: Part 2, The Search

Now that you’ve taken your first step toward homeownership and have met with a Mortgage Consultant to better understand how much you are approved to spend on a home, it’s time to move onto the more exciting step two… SHOPPING! In this article we’ll cover how to get ready to shop for a home, beginning the home search process and some tips and tricks we have learned over the years supporting our clients.

The Mortgage Process: Part 1, Where to Begin

Obtaining a mortgage can be the largest financial transaction many people will participate in throughout their entire lives. With such a big investment on the line, it is to be expected that there are multiple steps to achieve that ultimate goal of homeownership. To many the home financing process can appear daunting or scary but with the right preparation and team alongside you, the experience can be smooth and efficient.

3 Things Millennials Should Know Going Into 2021

If you’re like many millennials, this pandemic has made you reevaluate your current living situation and wonder if you are ready for a home of your own. It’s been an eye-opening year for sure. Despite being the group affected most by the economic downturn, millennials remain motivated to make a move. 2020 was a record-setting year when it comes to mortgage originations, especially among Millennials. In fact, in September, the Ellie Mae Millennial Tracker reported that 61% of all purchase loans this past July were made by homebuyers between the ages of 21 and 40. That’s a huge number, and an even bigger indicator of what’s next for the housing market. Here’s some things Millennials should know going into 2021:

2021 Housing Forecast

What can we say about 2020 that hasn’t already been said on the late night shows, twitter and in every meme on the internet? To say the world is looking forward to 2021 is the ultimate understatement. While 2020 was a solid year in the housing market, the same cannot be said of all industries. At Cambria Mortgage we feel blessed that we were able to help our clients throughout this year and into the future. Now, on to 2021! Here’s a look at what we anticipate for the coming year:

Ways to Make Sure You Are Getting the Most Out of Your Remodel

In 2020 many of us spent more time than ever in our homes and that led many to discover things about our surroundings that we no longer love or just do not work for our new reality. With an average of 3 out of 5 (61%) Americans tackling at least one home improvement project since March 1, 2020 there are a lot of changes happening within our households. If you fall into the percentage making updates, read on for tips to get the most out of your remodel.

WFSH: Work From SECOND Home Life?

The weather is growing cold and many snowbirds are starting to make preparations to head south… Sound appealing but not quite at the snowbird stage of life yet? Can you still get in on the warm weather action? With the current changes to many people’s working environments you may be able to live the snowbird life while still maintaining your working routine. Read on for the benefits of owning a second home.

Mortgage Payment Breakdown: Where Does Your Payment Actually Go?

Chances are you know exactly how much you make your check out for every month when you pay your mortgage, but do you know what you are actually paying for? As a company, we talk a lot about interest rates and closing costs when investigating a refinance or purchase, however, once all the paperwork is signed it’s easy to lose track of the exact terms of our mortgage. Let’s take a deep dive into exactly what your mortgage payment is allocated toward. Read on for a full mortgage payment breakdown.

Yesterday and Today: What Low Interest Rates Actually Mean

One of the phrases companies love to use right now is “historically low rates” (guilty!), but what does that actually mean? Is it just lip service getting people intrigued or is there more to it than that? We took a look back at the last 30 years of data to show you what exactly goes into the phrase we all love so much.

10x Our Team Blew Us Away

At Cambria Mortgage our team’s primary goal is to make it easy for clients to finance or refinance a home. It’s important to us that our clients feel at home before they even find one; here are 10 instances where we were especially blown away by post-closing feedback.

But First, Get Pre-Approved

If you’re thinking about buying a home this year, I’m sure you already have many things on your to-do list. Maybe you have been looking into reevaluating your budget and saving for a downpayment; you’ve probably started to get an idea of what your credit looks like; heck, you may have even begun to dream up your future home online. The list goes on… But what is the #1 thing you should do right now?

Celebrate Homeownership Month with Cambria Mortgage

June is here, and you know what that means… It’s officially summer and school is out; the longest day of the year comes and goes; wedding season is typically in full swing. But what else? National Homeownership Month. We celebrate a key American value and the cornerstone of our economy every single day of June.

Preparing to Purchase: 5 Things to Do to Get Ready to Purchase Your New Home

Buying a new home is an exciting prospect. The spring and summer housing market is heating up and rates are low ‒ you are ready to take the leap…right?! If you are feeling compelled to ‒ or maybe just pondering the idea of ‒ making the move into a new home purchase, make sure you don’t hit any potential bumps along way by following our tips below.

Tips for Getting a Mortgage Virtually

To many, the mortgage process may seem daunting to begin with… add a pandemic to the mix and it’s a recipe for disaster right? Wrong. While things around the office definitely look a lot different while we are in the midst of social distancing, things aren’t all that different when it comes to the mortgage process. Being we live in a world of advancement and technology, we were ready for a situation like this and haven’t missed a beat. Here are a few of our most helpful tips to make the virtual mortgage process a breeze.

Good News from the Housing Market (Why This is NOT 2008)

The most popular phrase during this pandemic seems to be, “during these uncertain times…” Some may even use this phrase when referring to the housing market. While a comparison to 2008’s housing crisis is certainly reasonable, the current housing market shows positive signs that keep us optimistic and show this is not a do-over of 2008. Read on for factors in the current housing market that show things are looking up.

Why Refi? What it Means to Refinance and Why You Should Look into it

Interest rates, interest rates, interest rates. That seems to be the only thing in the headlines regarding mortgages these days. The TV, radio and internet ads are all telling you NOW IS THE TIME TO REFINANCE! But why? What does it mean to refinance and what do you have to gain? Read on for the many reasons to refinance to see if it really is time for you to take a closer look.

Reasons to Refinance

The term refinance encompasses so much in terms of home loans. There are many different types of refinances and many…

A Look Ahead to 2019

A review of 2018 and a look ahead to 2019 may look a little frightening from a financial perspective, however,…

Seasonal Migration; Not Just for The Birds

As the weather takes a turn for the worse, the thought of getting away to a warmer climate becomes more appealing. The term “snowbird” is often used to describe those who migrate from colder climates to sunny locations for extended periods each year. Becoming a snowbird and owning a home in another state can provide more than just a respite from the cold. Read on for more about the benefits of being a snowbird.

Your Service. Our Honor.

VA loans are the most powerful loan programs available and are reserved exclusively for veterans and active-duty service members. Cambria Mortgage considers it an honor to help vets get the benefits they’ve earned with their service to our country. Read on for more information on the exclusive benefits of a VA loan. 

Why A Preapproval Is Key to Your Home Buying Success

Home values are rising. Inventory is low. If you are looking to purchase a home right now, these factors can heavily influence your search. Having a preapproval for your mortgage used to be a nice thing to have; today it is essential and here’s why.

Reverse Mortgage: Why Acting Now Will Help You Get the Most Out Of Your Home

Beginning in October 2017, there are changes coming to the FHA backed Reverse Mortgage program that could affect the funds available to you from your home. If you or someone you know has ever thought about the benefits of a reverse mortgage, now is the time to act. Read on for information on Reverse Mortgages and how to get the most out of your home.

Building Your Dream Home

Many people dream of being able to design and build their dream homes to their exact specifications. Building a new home can be a dream come true, but it can also have its challenges. Read on for more information about building your dream home and construction loans.

Looking at a Fixer-Upper? The Benefits of a Renovation Loan

If you are searching for your dream home and are not finding what you are looking for, it may be time to consider a home that you can purchase and renovate into the home you’ve always wanted. If you don’t have the cash on hand to tackle a renovation after you purchase the home, consider a Renovation Loan. Here are more details and benefits of a Renovation Loan:

Choosing a Down Payment Option That is Right for You

When looking at purchasing a new home, one of the biggest questions that could come up is what to do about the down payment. There are many options for down payments so it is important to find the option that is right for your current situation and your future financial goals.

Rates are Rising: Why Not to Worry

The recent headlines allude to a rising rate environment, but that may not tell the whole picture. While rates have increased slightly in the past few months, they are still near historical lows and should not be seen as a deterrent for buying a home or securing a lower rate with a refinance.

Welcome Home: Discover the Cambria Mortgage Difference

Buying a home is one of the biggest decisions of a lifetime. Given the financial and emotional value of your investment, it makes sense to work with a mortgage company you know and trust. We asked John Schroeder, CEO/President of Cambria® Mortgage™, to explain the hometown difference.

Your Lifestyle, Your Mortgage: Choosing the Right Home Loan

As we swing into the fourth quarter of 2016, it continues to be a strong year for real estate. With historically low interest rates for primary and secondary residence loans, now is a great time to refinance your current home loan, buy a new home, or invest in a vacation home with a mortgage that fits your lifestyle.

Countdown to a New Home

Thinking of buying a new home? The experts at Cambria® Mortgage™ can help you streamline the process, make the right decisions, and enjoy a smooth, stress-free experience.

5 Common Mortgage Myths: Get the Truth from Cambria Mortgage

The idea of getting a home mortgage loan can be daunting, especially if you’re a first-time homebuyer. The good news is that many long-held beliefs about mortgages are no longer true. Here, the experts at Cambria Mortgage explain some of the most common misconceptions.

Discover the Benefits of Reverse Mortgages with Jeff Flanery, CRMP, of Cambria® Mortgage™

As part of Cambria Mortgage’s commitment to helping our customers find the best mortgage loan programs for their needs, Jeff Flanery, CRMP, Reverse Mortgage Specialist with Cambria Mortgage, is hosting a series of seminars for seniors and family members. At these informative, no-obligation seminars, Jeff will explain the many benefits of reverse mortgages, how they work, and who is eligible.

Is a Reverse Mortgage Right for You?

Jeff Flanery, Reverse Sales Manager with Cambria Mortgage, has been helping people transition to reverse mortgages for nearly 14 years. “I work exclusively with reverse mortgages, which is extremely gratifying, as I love helping people extend their nest egg and live better in retirement,” Flanery says. Here, he offers a brief overview of reverse mortgages and their benefits.

Get the Low-Down on Down Payments

A happy family that chose a home loan that best suits their needs and budget. Whether you’re considering building a brand-new home, rehabbing a mid-century treasure, or buying a historic downtown loft, you’ve probably realized there are two key things to consider—what you can afford as a monthly mortgage payment, and what you can afford to “put down” on your home as a down payment.

Save Money On Your Mortgage With an FHA or VA Loan

Thinking of buying a new home or refinancing an existing mortgage? Now’s the time! With low interest rates, flexible requirements, and a long list of other borrower benefits, FHA and VA loans are designed to make home ownership easy and affordable. To find out if you’re eligible, keep reading…