Timeline of Events
Steps to Owning a East St. Louis, IL Home with a VA Loan

STEP 1: Pre-Qualify

It’s important to pre-qualify because it helps you know how much of a home you can afford. This is a step that no borrower should skip. It can help you narrow down your search for a home by eliminating the homes you can’t afford, saving you both time and money. Our East St. Louis, Illinois VA mortgage team can help you prequalify. We will ask you questions about your credit history and income and can even run a quick credit check (with your permission). We will also help you get together the documents that show that you qualify for a VA loan in East St. Louis, IL. Pre-qualifying doesn’t guarantee approval, but it gives you a good idea of what you can borrow if you are approved. It can also help you identify potential problems with your application and reduce unpleasant surprises.

STEP 2: GET PREAPPROVED

A pre-approval is like pre-qualification, but it takes the process a step further. Pre-approval verifies certain things about your finances. Pay stubs, employment history, tax returns, proof of real estate holdings, and bank and investment statements will be required for this step of the loan process.

  • Bank/investment statements
  • Employment history
  • Pay stubs
  • Proof of real estate holdings
  • Tax returns/W2s

Once all your documentation has been verified, you will receive a pre-approval letter. It will show that you’ve started the process of applying for a East St. Louis VA loan and will tell how much of a loan you can afford.

STEP 3: FIND A HOME AND MAKE AN OFFER

At this point, it’s time to begin your search for a East St. Louis home. You should work with a realtor to find a property that’s right for you and within your price range. Once you find the home that’s right for you, you’re ready to make an offer and work on negotiating a contract with the seller. It is essential that your real estate agent is familiar with VA loans in East St. Louis, IL  and can help you with the contract so that it works to your advantage. Once you’re under contract for a home, your loan officer will order an appraisal for the property. The VA assigns an appraiser to complete the job. Homes have to be move-in ready (with any problems fixed) before the loan closes. The VA has strict guidelines about the condition of homes purchased with a VA loan in East St. Louis, IL.

STEP 4: UNDERWRITING AND CLOSING At this point, the loan underwriter will verify your financial information and make sure that all the paperwork meets the VA’s guidelines for its loans. Once the loan is approved, you’ll set a closing date to sign the necessary paperwork and move in to your new East St. Louis home.

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Rates so low the nations largest VA lenders panic when consumers find out about our East St. Louis, IL VA Mortgage Rates. Connect with your personal VA Loan Expert by calling 888-208-9797.

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    East St. Louis is a city mainly in St. Clair and with a small portion in Madison counties in southwestern Illinois, United States. It is located across the Mississippi River from St. Louis, Missouri, in what is defined as the Metro-East region of Southern Illinois. Once a bustling industrial center, like many cities in the Rust Belt, East St. Louis has been severely affected by loss of jobs due to industrial restructuring during the second half of the 20th century. In 1950, East St. Louis was the fourth-largest city in Illinois when its population peaked at 82,366. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 27,006, less than one-third of the 1950 census.