Helping a Local Veteran Become a Homeowner with a VA Loan

At Eugene Mortgage Brokers, we take immense pride in helping veterans achieve homeownership. VA loans are my absolute favorite type of loan to work on because they represent one of the few meaningful ways our country shows appreciation for the men and women who have served. It’s a privilege to guide veterans through the homebuying process, ensuring they receive the benefits they’ve earned.

This is the story of Ron S., a recently discharged Air Force veteran, and his journey to buying his first home.

How It Started: A Walk-in That Led to Homeownership

Ron and his girlfriend walked into our office after calling around to different lenders without getting responses. Like many first-time homebuyers, they were looking for guidance on how to get started. Ron had served his initial term in the Air Force, received an honorable discharge, and was now using his G.I. Bill to further his education. At the same time, he was working locally as an apprentice lineman, building his career while attending school.

The first thing we talked about? Their monthly payment goals.

I always start with this conversation because what a bank will approve you for and what you can comfortably afford are two very different things. We discussed:

• What they felt comfortable spending per month on a mortgage
• Their current financial obligations
• How much they had saved
• Whether they had access to additional funds if needed

Pre-Approval & Finding the Right Home

Once we gathered all of Ron’s financial information, I had one of my top VA underwriters review his profile. VA loans are flexible, but some banks add unnecessary restrictions. At Eugene Mortgage Brokers and Bend Mortgage Brokers, we prioritize using lenders that follow the VA’s guidelines without extra overlays.

Ron and his girlfriend were quickly pre-approved, and I connected them with a local realtor I had recently worked with, who had just helped another veteran purchase a home. She was fantastic, and I knew she’d be a great fit for them.

Within a short period, they found a house they loved. I believe it was only the second house they made an offer on! This showed how well they communicated with their realtor and how realistic they were about their budget and needs.

The Power of VA Loans: No Down Payment & Negotiating Closing Costs

One of the best benefits of a VA loan is that no down payment is required. While it’s always good to have some savings for closing costs or home improvements, Ron and his girlfriend were able to structure their purchase so that the seller paid all of their closing costs.

Everything was moving forward smoothly—until the appraisal came in lower than expected.

Rather than letting this derail the deal, their realtor renegotiated with the seller to lower the purchase price to match the appraised value. In the end:

• The seller lowered the price
• The lender contributed toward closing costs
• Ron brought in a small amount to cover the difference

This teamwork and creative structuring ensured that they didn’t overpay and still got help with their closing costs.

From First Meeting to Closing: Just 8-10 Weeks!

When Ron and his girlfriend first walked into my office, they weren’t sure if they’d be ready to buy a home for several months or even a year. But in just 8 to 10 weeks, they were signing their loan documents.

This was possible because:

• We did thorough pre-approval planning to ensure all income was properly documented
• We matched them with a great realtor who was experienced with VA buyers
• We structured their loan and offer strategically, so they didn’t have to put money down
•  We worked closely with underwriting, submitting a clean and well-documented file

The best compliment came from the underwriter, who told us:

“This is one of the cleanest VA loan files I’ve seen in a long time. Thank you for making my job easy!”

Why Work with a Local Independent Mortgage Broker?

This success story is a perfect example of why working with an independent mortgage broker—rather than a big bank—makes all the difference.

• We take the time to understand your goals, budget, and financial picture
• We have direct access to multiple VA lenders, ensuring the best rates and guidelines
• We advocate for you throughout the process, from pre-approval to closing
• We work with local realtors who understand how to structure VA offers

Ron and his girlfriend didn’t just buy a house—they secured their future, and I couldn’t be more excited for them.

If you’re a veteran or active-duty military member thinking about buying a home, let’s talk! VA loans are an incredible benefit, and I’d love to help you make the most of yours.

📞 Call or message me today for a free consultation!

Lauren Hatmaker
Direct: 541-510-8428
Office: 541-972-8620
NMLS 1433297
Lauren@EugeneBrokers.com
www.EugeneMortgageBrokers.com