Name: Veterans First Mortgage
Brand: Veterans First Mortgage

Veterans First Mortgage Review

Veterans First Mortgage specializes in VA loans for veterans and active service members. Veterans First Mortgage is part of Wintrust Mortgage, one of the top twenty lenders across the U.S. Eligible veterans can purchase or refinance a home with a VA loan from Veterans First Mortgage, with added benefits such as no mortgage insurance or down payment. This can make a purchasing a home much easier compared to traditional mortgage loans.

Pros

24/7 customer service
Certificate of Eligibility (COE) request from the website
Conventional loans and VA loans offered

Cons

Limited number of branches, although not necessary to secure a VA loan

Veterans First Mortgage VA Loans

Veterans First provides personalized help for veterans and active service members who are navigating the VA loan system. Veterans First Mortgage employees are trained by vets to learn the differences and culture of each military branch. This training makes lending officers and other staff members able to understand the specific needs and hurdles of their customers.

Veterans First Mortgage offers VA purchase loans, VA Interest Rate Reduction Refinance Loans (IRRRL), and VA cash-out refinance loans, which we’ve outlined below in the chart. As is the case with all mortgages of this type, a VA funding fee is required and can be rolled into the mortgage or paid by the seller. VA loan limits fluctuate depending on where the mortgaged property is located.

VA First Mortgage Loans
VA Loan Type	Loan Details	Cash Out
VA Purchase Loan	For purchasing a primary residence. Available to first-time homebuyers, those who paid off a VA loan, and those who want to buy a home and have filed to restore eligibility	No
VA IRRRL or Streamline Loan	Refinance an existing VA loan into a mortgage with a lower interest rate, usually to reduce the monthly payment or the length of the mortgage	No
VA Cash Out Refinance Loan	Refinance a conventional loan into a VA loan or get cash out of the equity in property currently mortgaged with a VA loan. Cash out amount subject to VA regulations	Yes

Veterans First Mortgage FHA and Conventional Loans

While a VA loan is the best option for most service members and veterans seeking to finance a home, sometimes the numbers work out better with conventional or FHA loans. Many VA mortgage lenders do not deal in these loans, so a potential borrower has to go through the application process again with another lender if a VA loan turns out to be less desirable than the alternatives.

An FHA loan requires only 3.5 percent down with limited closing costs, while those with a high credit score would likely benefit from a conventional mortgage. Veterans First Mortgage adds FHA and conventional home loans along with VA loans to its mortgage financing portfolio so applicants can easily compare all options.

Calculating Your VA Funding Fee with Veterans First Mortgage

The VA funding fee is a charge required by the VA from most borrowers using a VA loan to help costs associated with the VA home loan program. Below you’ll see an example of how a first-time VA borrower who is regular military or Reserve/National Guard would calculate his or her VA funding fee.

Veterans First Mortgage Fees

Source: Veterans First Mortgage

Veterans First Mortgage VA Loans Foreclosure Avoidance

To help veterans take advantage of programs designed to help them avoid foreclosure, Veterans First Mortgage provides detailed information on the website for veterans who are having trouble making their VA loan payments. The Home Loan Assistance page outlines the programs available to avoid foreclosure with details about how to apply for assistance. Options for avoiding foreclosure include modifying the terms of the loan, temporarily suspending or reducing monthly mortgage payments, and repayment plans.

Veterans First Mortgage Community Support for Veterans

Veterans First Mortgage supports a variety of veteran-related organizations and projects across many communities and with events held at their headquarters. Some of the projects they have supported in the past include:

Fisher House Organization: Employees cook and serve meals for families staying at a local Fisher House while veterans receive treatment at VA medical facilities.
Operation Outreach: Employees donate to and prepare care packages for troops overseas. Over 1,000 packages sent to date.
Military with PTSD: Employees organized to support and participate in the Military with PTSD program.
Veterans Family Gift Shop: Salt Lake City employees annually support the gift shop to provide gifts to veterans and their families who are in need.

Veterans First Mortgage Complaints

Veterans First Mortgage has an A- rating with the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and has been an accredited company since 2012. Many positive reviews are published on the BBB site and Veterans First Mortgage addressed any problems customers posted. Wintrust Mortgage acquired Veterans First in January 2018 and holds an “A+” BBB rating.

While the reviews on ConsumerAffairs were mixed, Veterans First holds a 5-star rating on TrustPilot and 4.9 stars out of 5 on LendingTree.

Source: Veterans First Mortgage

Veterans First Mortgage FAQ

How do I start the loan process with Veterans First Mortgage VA loans?
To start the VA Loan process, fill out the online contact form or call to speak to a representative about your loan needs. Veterans First Mortgage will guide you through your first steps of qualifying for a loan and beyond.
What VA loan rates can I expect from Veterans First Mortgage?
Mortgage interest rates vary depending on your finances and loan needs. The amount of the loan, your credit score, eligibility rating, debt to income ratio, and a few other factors determine the rate extended to you. Call Veterans First or fill out the contact form on their website to obtain a rate quote. The good news is that VA loan rates are competitive with or lower than conventional rates, and include money-saving advantages that other mortgages do not offer.
How many times can I get a Veterans First Mortgage VA loan?
The answer is either once or multiple times. VA loan eligibility can be restored once to purchase a second house, and you can keep your first residence as income property if you pay off the first VA loan. Each time you sell the first home and pay off the first mortgage obligation, there is no limit on how many times you can have your VA loan eligibility restored for a new purchase.
How can Veterans First Mortgage help me with refinancing my VA loan?
Because this lender knows all the ins and outs of VA mortgage lending, a loan officer can help you decide on the best way to proceed on a refinance. A Veterans First Mortgage representative will discuss whether or not you need to get cash out of a refinancing deal and if you are eligible for this option. You will also learn about the IRRRL process, which is particularly speedy. You will typically close on a VA loan refinancing with Veterans First within 30 days.
Can Veterans First help my real estate agent understand VA loan restrictions?
Yes, support is available for your real estate agent. Veterans First Mortgage will help you and your real estate agent put together a sales contract that works in your best interest with the VA Option Clause. This clause protects you, the buyer, from losing earnest money should the sale fall through.

Conclusion

Veterans First Mortgage specializes in VA loans to help veterans and active service members easily access their financing benefits to buy a house. The veteran-trained employees understand the needs and challenges of veterans and their families when searching for a home loan, and the company stands behind its mission to serve vets through community support.

7 Veterans First Mortgage Reviews

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June 17 2021 7:32PM

Started off good when I got talked into switching to Veterans First (Wintrust is the real name of the mortgage company) on a good lower rate refi deal and promises that I could sell some of the land to do an addition to my house.

I even spent over $9000 on surveys, maps and prep work on the land after the refi. We listed the property, got an offer, and then a couple of week before closing we were notified about the title issue.

Veterans First messed up the title and won't release the lien so I now have to redo my mortgage. This time I'm going to a different bank. I absolutely do not trust Veterans First or Wintrust. All they cared about was getting my mortgage during that refi and nothing else.

How does a mortgage company make a mistake on the title? They don't even pay the property taxes out of the escrow account on the land I'm trying to sell either. I have to pay that personally. These seem like major internal control issues.

Be very careful if you choose to work with them and please have a lawyer verify your mortgage paperwork before you sign. I have filed a complaint with the Dept. of Veterans Affairs, and I hopefully an investigation will happen.

Tim K.

Barneveld, WI

June 24 2020 11:04PM

Veteran's first mortgage offered and pre-qualified me for a VA loan on a $580k home in Prunedale CA. I made it clear from the beginning that I had 2 VA mortgages out already and was unsure if I could qualify for a VA loan.

After putting a bid on home, getting approved and providing a $6,000 good faith deposit, the loan officer called me to inform me that I was not eligible for the VA loan and that they did not know I had 2 other VA loans (again, this was the first things I told them and was the reason I was using their company. They then were unable to offer me an FHA.

When they sent me the Letter of Denial, I asked them to add the fact that they did not properly calculate my VA Eligibility and the loan officer ignored my email. I'm still awaiting to see if I will get my good faith deposit returned. After speaking to my realtor, he said the loan officer would not return his calls and was very late with the appraisal letters which was very unprofessional.

Although the loan officer for Veteran's First seemed engaging and nice, I found out quickly that he did not do the proper legwork prior to submitting the initial loan information. As a 21 year Active Duty Service member, this is a slap in the face. The entire process and wasting nearly a month of my time and the time of the house sellers, including the money spent on appraisals, inspections, and title company because somebody did not do their job proves to me that Veteran's First does not represent or care about service members.

I will be filing a complaint and possibly a lawsuit if I do not get reimbursed for my deposit. I also strongly encourage people to go to other Veteran's businesses before coming to this company.

Larry G.

Aromas, CA

April 20 2020 4:10PM

They came to me at a time and in the beginning they were on top and as I got closer to close the numbers were astronomical. They wouldn't give me a closing cost till 2 days before close and said I needed 5000 in two days.

Did not show any empathy, compassion, or any type of customers service experience and excuse my language but it was a absolute crap show from beginning to ends. The rep Steve ** was horrible. He stopped calling and I was in the dark for 90%of my time with them, lied to my Realtor stating I never picked up when he constantly call WHILE IM AT WORK.

I even talked to his manager and he was rude to me and complexly unapologetic given the circumstances and didn't even want to admit they messed up. I was stress. I was gonna be out of a home and on the street and they treated me like garbage.

DID I ALSO MENTION THIS IS MY FIRST HOME EVER BUYING. If there were 0 stars I would give that. Unprofessional, only cared about taking my money and not even helping me in the slightest and didn't care whether me as a vet would be homeless until they get their stuff together and thats not even the whole story.

Sean W.

Tempe, AZ

March 12 2020 6:34PM

I'm not sure if it was because I was an older female or not but I could not get the same answer twice. He would interrupt me constantly, talking over me most of the time when I had a question. I finally told him to forget it, I would find a loan elsewhere. His name was Jay **. Never again.

Ronda M.

AUGUSTA, GA

November 09 2019 6:56PM

Just was hung up on by Stuart, after inquiring about a refi. He was not happy that I would not give him enough information so that he could run exact numbers, which at this time we are just curious about what programs they have to offer, rates, etc... He was very argumentative, not very professional and lacked the "making you feel good as a Veteran" customer service.

AJ S.

McCormick, SELECT A STATE

July 02 2019 6:35PM

Did a refi. And closed in June. The bank Wintrust took July payment out on a loan that was closed because I didn't call and cancel auto pay. Per Regina at Wintrust, they can keep taking funds because I did not cancel auto pay. Now for a group to say they take pride in helping veterans is B.S.

They are about making money like anyone else. My mortgage has not been refunded, my acct. Is overdrafting in bank and they can't put my money back yet. So meanwhile I'll be racking up close to $500.00 in overdraft fees because I did not cancel auto pay on a paid in full note. my bank said if mortgage comp.

Would write and fax a letter stating they will not be taking funds, my bank then could release my money but Wintrust is not willing to do that. When I asked if they would pay my overdraft fees I was told to email a letter about what happened and it would be reviewed and then determined if they felt like refunding me.

So for a company who claim to help vets, they take your money, cause more financial stress and not even willing to go the extra mile to fax a letter to my bank. Thanks Veterans First aka: I freedom direct and the bank they collaborate with, Wintrust Mortgage. Stellar job on helping those who serve/served. I advise you not to refinance with this company.

JENNIFER P.

Phx, AZ

November 30 2018 1:32AM

Have a loan with veterans first a Va loan. Worst experience of my life. Would not recommend Veterns first to my worst enemy. I had to have my financial adviser on the phone with the loan officer. The qualifier kept on putting more and more qualifications in front of me. He to proof of longshormen's disability proof they wanted to know It that would go for the rest of my life I had to have my finical advisor contact the Jacksonville office and they even called this an bogus request. Were infer for a few months, got a higher than the norm mortgage rate. If it wasn't for my financial advisers encouragement I would have throw in the towel. I guess you're firing your experience loan officers and hiring inexperienced to cover your Bottom line. I hope you don't treat another client like this. Its a wonder that any business in this country goes forward. I think hell would have thrown this gym out.

George J.