Seven years ago, I said this about our ability to get condominiums added to the VA Approved condominium list in California:
I've probably funded 40 VA home loans in 2009, many of them for unapproved condominium complexes. In Southern California, it's quite common along the coastal communities for buyers to look at condos, townhomes, or PUDs as lower-cost alternatives to single-family homes. Declining prices, along with higher VA loan limits have afforded many active duty and former service members the opportunity to scoop up a piece of the California coastal lifestyle by purchasing one of those properties.
Sellers often cringe when they receive an offer using VA home loan financing. The general thought is that the VA condominum complex approval process is time-consuming, onerous, and difficult...
Nothing could be further from the truth.
All loan types, including FHA and conventional vet the condominium association's organizational documents, finances, and residency mix. In fact, the VA guidelines tend to be the least restrictive of all three loan types.
Over a year ago, we started getting the complexes VA approved without the use of an attorney opinion letter, saving our clients thousands of dollars in legal fees. Here are some comments from happy customers:
Air Force veteran, Marina del Rey:
Brian and Debra helped us through the loan approval process for a townhouse in Marina del Rey. My husband was trying to use his VA loan benefit, but in this hot real estate market, a lot of the seller's don't understand or care to understand the VA loan process. There's just a big misconception that the process is unduly difficult, or the VA loan is not as good, which is not the case at all!
Brian went above and beyond and talked repeatedly to our seller's agent to assure her that the VA loan process would be fine. Anytime she had a question, she would call him. When we closed, she went on and on about what a professional he was throughout.
Brian and Debra helped us to get our townhouse a VA condo association approval. It was daunting for us, since we didn't know how to get through it, but they started our paperwork as soon as we got an accepted offer, and made sure all the proper documents were gathered and sent to the VA. The VA is notorious for being slow, but they managed to get our condo association VA approved by the closing date. We could not have done it without them
USMC Officer, Los Angeles, CA:
I, like many other of Brian and Debra's clients, wanted to use my VA loan and wanted someone with expertise with VA loans. My situation was also complicated by the fact that condominiums / townhouse complexes must be VA approved for the VA loan to be used. Fortunately, Brian and Debra have done over a hundred VA condo complex approvals and are experts with the VA loan process. Working with them made my life very easy. Brian was able to educate my real estate agent and the seller's real estate agent on the pros and cons of the VA loan and let them know what he would need to facilitate the home purchase. He was always reachable, whether at 7 am in the morning or 9:30 pm at night, Brian always responded within an hour.
US Navy Officer, San Diego, CA:
OUTSTANDING experience during my first time condo purchase working with Brian and Debra. Brian came referred by 2 of my co-workers, and I could not be happier that I decided to use him. From start to finish, Brian and Debra handled my purchase as if they were buying it for themselves. They continuously kept me in the loop, and answered emails promptly. Brian went out of his way to work with the VA to get my condo approved in record time, and watched the market closely to get me the best possible VA rate. I was impressed with their professionalism during the entire process
US Navy Officer, Oxnard, CA:
We were told by our agents and their lender that the condo we were buying was on the VA Approved list, and all was good to go. Once into escrow, we learn it was not. Our agents said "we are sorry" and basically gave up. So we quickly figured out if we wanted this home, that we needed to get it on the VA Approved list of condos and quick. Google search. Up comes Brian. We call, and he calls back immediately even though it was quite late that night. We met the next day, and he took control of the process guiding both agents (buyer and seller) through the process. We closed and have the home we always wanted. He is a pit bull kind of guy who gets it done.
US Navy Officer, San Diego, CA:
I started the home buying process while still on deployment, and Brian graciously worked with me across 13 time zones to begin explaining the ins and outs of home buying. The building we had looked at was not VA approved, which is crucial to securing a VA loan. I googled VA home approval, and his was the first name to pop up. Brian is an absolute master at working with the VA, within 5 weeks from putting in an offer on the home, the complex was VA approved, and we closed within six
We can help you with this process. Call ,e at 858-777-9751
