Between Two Doors

  Hey my fellow Veterans and Active Duty — did you know the VA loan can be used to purchase a multi-unit property (up to four units) with zero down payment — as long as you plan to live in one of the units? That’s right — your VA home loan benefit can double as a powerful wealth-building tool through what’s often called “house hacking.” Let’s break it down with real numbers. Example Scenario: The VA 4-Plex Advantage Let’s say a Veteran finds a 4-unit property priced at $800,000 . Each of the four units is similar in size, condition, and rent potential. Three of the units can be rented, while the Veteran occupies the fourth as their primary residence. Estimated Monthly Rents: 3 rental units × $2,000 each = $6,000/month total rent income Mortgage Details (Approximate): Purchase Price: $800,000 Down Payment: $0 (VA loans allow 100% financing) Estimated Interest Rate: 6.5% Loan Term: 30 years Property Taxes & Insurance: ~$1,200/month Total PITI P...

  Key Highlights The national average for a 30-year fixed mortgage has dipped to around 6.27% , marking one of the lowest levels of the year. ABC News +2 AP News +2 The yield on the U.S. 10-year Treasury note — a major driver behind mortgage pricing — is hovering near 4% , reflecting some investor caution in the bond market. Barron's +2 Trading Economics +2 A major wild-card: a continuing U.S. government shutdown has delayed key inflation and employment releases, increasing uncertainty about the next moves by the Federal Reserve . AP News +2 Reuters +2 We are in a relatively stable zone for rates — meaning no dramatic swings (so far) — but that may change quickly when the missing data begins to flow. This creates a strategic window for action. What’s Happening Behind the Scenes 1. Why are mortgage rates behaving this way? Mortgage rates don’t directly track the Fed’s short-term policy rate. Instead, they’re much more influenced by long-term bond yields — especial...

  Key Takeaways The Senate has passed a version of the ROAD to Housing Act (embedded in the FY 2026 NDAA ), which could have lasting impacts on housing supply, affordability, and mortgage policy . The remodeling sector continues to show resilience, with modest improvement in market sentiment in Q3. The Fed remains open to further rate cuts in 2025 , which could help ease borrowing costs — though timing and magnitude remain uncertain. 1. Senate Passes ROAD to Housing Act — What It Means for Real Estate On October 10, the full Senate approved its version of the FY 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which includes the “ Renewing Opportunity to the American Dream ” (ROAD) to Housing Act as a Manager’s Amendment. Scotsman Guide +3 Realtor +3 National Mortgage Professional +3 The ROAD proposal is a sweeping legislative package designed to tackle persistent housing challenges. It passed the Senate Banking Committee unanimously (24–0) earlier this summer. Nat...

  One of the most common questions Veterans ask is whether they can refinance their VA loan through the Interest Rate Reduction Refinance Loan (IRRRL) program before they’ve made a full 12 months of payments. The short answer: Yes, as long as you have made a minimum of 6 months on-time monthly payments to your current mortgage servicer . While many lenders prefer to see a 12-month payment history, the VA doesn’t have a hard-and-fast rule requiring a full year of payments. What matters most is that you’ve made at least six consecutive on-time payments , and that your lender’s internal policy allows an early refinance. VA IRRRL Early Refinance Guidelines Here’s what to keep in mind if you’re considering an early refinance: ✅ Payment History: Most lenders want at least six months of on-time mortgage payments. ✅ Seasoning Requirement : The VA requires at least 210 days from the first payment date and at least six consecutive monthly payments before the refinance can close...