The VA loan program does allow gift funds to be used towards the down payment and closing costs, but there must be a letter including donor information.
Updated on June 28, 2022VA loans provide Veterans with numerous potential benefits, one of them being a $0 downpayment. While no downpayment can save you a considerable amount of cash, it is important to factor in closing costs.
Closing costs can end up being thousands of dollars, which can sometimes put a financial strain on potential homebuyers. Luckily, the VA allows gift funds from friends or family members to contribute towards the cost.
Gift funds are money that Veteran homebuyers receive to put towards any costs associated with purchasing a home. Gift funds must be given with no expectation of repayment of those funds at a later time.
If there is an expectation of those funds being repaid, the VA lender must factor the loan repayment in the borrower’s debt-to-income ratio.
Gift funds are allowable on VA loans as long as they come from a family member or similar relationship. Additionally, that gift must leave a legitimate paper trail in a bank account or financial institution. Examples of this are a canceled check or electronic fund transfer documentation.
VA gift fund guidelines are clear. In order to use the funds, Veterans must show through a certified letter or another type of documentation that the funds are indeed a gift.
Veteran borrowers must provide a specific letter that contains all key information about the gift of money. This includes:
Keep in mind that the VA does not require a gifter bank statement as is common in some other loan programs.
There is no limit on the amount of money a person may gift a Veteran. However, there are tax implications that may play a role in this. As of 2022, the annual exclusion for gifts is $16,000. That means that the gifter can give up to this amount without having to report the transaction to the IRS.
Gift funds typically can be applied to down payments for the home, however, Veterans with their full VA entitlement will not have a down payment. Gift funds may also be used to cover closing costs.
It’s possible to use VA gift funds for other purposes as long as they relate to the obtaining of the loan. VA lenders may have other rules regarding the use of gift funds, so be sure to check.
If you decide to use gift funds for other types of loans rather than a VA loan, different rules and guidelines may apply. For example, a gifter's bank statement is required when obtaining an FHA loan. Also, USDA borrowers may be able to obtain gift funds from non-profits and charities as well.
While gift funds could help when it comes to purchasing your next home, it's important to stay up to date on all gift fund rules before applying for a VA loan. For help with your particular situation, be sure to contact your VA lender for additional insights.
VA loans are available up to $766,550 in most areas but can exceed $1,000,000 for single-family homes in high-cost counties. Calculate your VA loan limit to see your personalized mortgage limit. Loan limits don't apply to all borrowers.
Dealing with the escrow process while taking out a VA home loan may seem intimidating, especially if you’re a first-time homebuyer or you haven’t been in the market in a while. But whether you’re coming home after a deployment, retiring from the service, or just moving out of off-base housing, you may have to use escrow to purchase your new home.
Let’s look at what every VA borrower needs to know when it comes to VA loans and escrow.
A step-by-step guide for how to get prequalified and preapproved for a VA home loan.
Applying for your Certificate of Eligibility is just one part of the larger VA home loan application process.
The VA loan underwriting process often raises questions from homebuyers, but the goal is simple: verify the facts, and protect all parties involved.
The Lender Appraisal Program (LAPP) is a program available to lenders that have met specific requirements. A lender must be approved by the Central Office. By using an LAPP lender, a VA assigned appraiser can actually close the applicant's loan, allowing for the loan process to be expedited.