A Homebuyer’s Guide for Texas Veterans

After serving in the armed forces, many people returning to civilian life seek to buy a house. Your home is often the stable center of the life you build, and for those transitioning out of active duty, that stability is a priceless commodity. Take care, though – buying your home is a long process full of important details. Fortunately, veterans are offered several resources that can make things somewhat easier. Here’s some home buying assistance for veterans in the Lone Star State.

A Veteran-Friendly State

As a Texas veteran, you can take comfort in knowing that you’re far from alone. Data from 2014 shows that there are over 1.6 million veterans living in Texas, a total which is second among all states, only trailing behind California. A significant portion of that number calls San Antonio home. Known for years as a military hub, the city of San Antonio officially laid claim to the trademark “Military City USA” in July of 2017. With operational sites such as Fort Sam Houston, Lackland Air Force Base, and Randolph Air Force Base, the name certainly fits.

How to Find Home Buying Assistance for Veterans

Whether you reside in San Antonio, Austin, or anywhere else in Texas, there are government programs that can potentially make it easier for veterans to buy homes. First off, there’s the Texas Veterans Land Board. Since its creation in 1983 by the Texas legislature, they have existed with the goal of helping veterans buy houses. One of the ways they help out is with their Veterans Housing Assistance Program, which unlocks a low fixed-rate loan for veterans. Qualifying for the loan is relatively simple – applicants must be at least 18 years old, legal residents of Texas, and have at least 90 days of active duty served.

The U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs also offers low-rate home loans that require no down payment. Eligibility requirements differ depending on whether a veteran served during peacetime or wartime, so make sure you check your status with the VA. With the loan secured, a veteran can buy a house, a condominium, or a manufactured home.

Here’s an additional tip once you move on to the house-hunting phase: Remember that not all real estate agents are created equal. Some will be more acquainted with VA loans than others. These agents are Military Relocation Professionals, and they are specially certified by the National Association of Realtors. However you go about seeking home buying assistance for veterans, it’s nice to know that someone’s in your corner. For an ally in San Antonio and Austin real estate, get in touch with Pauly Presley Realty today.

Check out our helpful guide for Military Home Searches in San Antonio