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A Quick Guide to VA Loans
FINDING A SUITABLE AND AFFORDABLE HOME (continued, part 2)
Floors
You should examine the floors very carefully to see that they are level and without serious
surface defects. If it is a wood floor, take careful note to see that the joints are tight and
that it has been properly sanded and finished. Small knots in the flooring do not necessarily
mean that it is of poor quality, but they must be tight knots to be acceptable.
Wood flooring comes in a number of types. The two major types are: square blocks known as parquet
flooring, and flooring that is in strips of various lengths known as strip flooring. A good way
to determine if the floor is well laid and tight is to walk over it slowly to make sure that there
are no places where there is noticeable give under foot. If so, that part of the floor should be
corrected.
Some new houses today may have concrete floors covered with asphalt tile or wood flooring. When
asphalt tile is used, you should be able to tell readily whether the flooring is well laid and
tight. It is particularly important that the joints be smooth.
Kitchen floors will usually be either linoleum or asphalt tile, and the bathroom floor will
usually be either linoleum, asphalt tile, or ceramic tile. You should inspect these floors
to see that the material has been laid in a workmanlike manner.
The asphalt tile or linoleum should be properly fitted around the corners and fixtures. If there
should be cracked or chipped pieces, then you should require that these be corrected, because
water will get down in these places and work its way under the asphalt tile or linoleum and
loosen it from the floor, and you will have a poor floor.
Doors
Take a good look at the front and rear doors, opening and closing them several times to see
that they fit well. Large cracks can cause trouble although some clearance around the door is
necessary. While examining the doors, also look at the threshold, which is the separate piece
installed under the door and fastened to the floor. This threshold or bottom piece should work
in combination with the bottom weatherstripping so as to keep out wind and rain.
Inspect all of the interior doors also. Make sure they all close and latch properly and are not
warped out of shape. Look at the finish of all doors to make sure that the builder has painted
or varnished them so that they will be protected against moisture.
Ceilings and Walls
Inspect the walls to see that they are of the material that you expected. There are two main types
of inside wall finishes, known as "dry wall" and "plastered wall." The "dry wall" can be of plywood,
gypsum wallboard, or fiberboard that is placed on the walls and taped and then painted or papered;
this provides a good finish that is very serviceable.
The "plastered wall" is constructed of lath and plaster. Experience has shown that both types
of wall are satisfactory if properly finished. The walls may be painted or papered, and you
should inspect the finish to see that it meets with your approval.
Most of the paint used in structures built in 1950 or earlier contained significant amounts of
lead. Leadbased paint has been determined to be a health hazard to children who might eat chips
from the paint. Before you decide to buy any older house which has cracking, peeling, scaling or
loose paint, you should insist upon arrangements being made to properly treat such surfaces so
that the paint is removed or covered.
Some homes built between 1945 and 1978 may contain a crumbly, asbestos-containing material which
has been either sprayed or troweled onto the ceiling or walls. If the material is in good condition,
it is best to leave it alone. If the material appears damaged you may want to consider having it
repaired or removed. In order to be a health risk, asbestos fibers must be released from the
material and be present in the air for people to breathe. Before you decide to buy, this
additional potential health risk should be given careful consideration.
Electrical Outlets
While looking at the walls, take time to note the electrical outlets, their locations, and if there
are enough of them to meet your needs. The wall switches should be placed so you can reach them when
you open the door. Make sure you have sufficient power circuits to run whatever appliances or equipment
your family intends to use. Remember that some older houses were not originally wired to take care
of the many electrical appliances and the equipment commonly used today.
Windows
Be sure there are enough windows to give proper light and ventilation and that they are located
so that they will not interfere with your furniture arrangement. Try opening and closing all
windows to see that they operate properly and especially whether or not they close tightly to
keep out the weather.
If you find the windows in a new house do not close tightly, ask the builder to correct them
before you move in. If you find the windows painted shut, be sure to have the builder free
them because if you try to do it you might damage the window as well as ruin the paint.
Does your contract provide for screens? If not, keep in mind that you may wish to add them
later. The same applies to storm windows and storm doors. If you think they will be necessary,
allow for them in your estimate of total cost.
Bathrooms
The bathroom should be located near the bedrooms and preferably so that you don't have
to enter through another room. Inspect the bathroom to see that the towel bars, soap
dishes, and other fixtures that you contracted to get are installed and that you have
a medicine cabinet properly located.
Examine the location of the wall switch for the light in the bathroom. Be sure that this
switch is located so that you cannot reach it while standing in the bathtub. If you can
reach the switch easily from the tub, require the builder to move it, because you or
your children can get a severe or even fatal shock by standing in a tub of water and
turning on a switch.
The lower part of the bathroom wall is usually covered with ceramic tile, plastic tile, or
some other waterproof material to protect the wall against splashing. Inspect the tile and
bathtub for proper installation and chipping which may lead to an expensive repair job in
a year or two.
Closets
Check on the number and size of closets. Do they meet the needs of your family? Make
sure there is sufficient room in them for the purpose for which they are in tended.
Kitchen
When you buy your home, certain items of equipment for the kitchen may be included in the
purchase price. Make sure of exactly what you are supposed to get, and have it in writing.
Examine these pieces of equipment to make sure that you have received the make, size, and price
range specified, or the equivalent. For example, do not accept a secondrate range or refrigerator
when you were supposed to get one of the best. Your sales contract should specify the type and
size of kitchen and laundry equipment to be included in the purchase price. (The same goes for
the water heater and furnace if you buy a new house before it is completed.)
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTION # 12 [ -more VA Loan questions- ]
- - - - - -
Q: Are You Eligible for a VA Home Loan Guaranty - How do I get proof of eligibility?
A: It's easy to use an online program called ACE--the Automated Certificate of Eligibility--to get started in the VA loan guaranty process, yet can only have this done by a VA approved lender. Unfortunately, the automated system won't work for everyone. Some people don't have enough information in the ACE database, and are required to fill out a VA Form 22-1880, a Request for Certificate of Eligibility. If this applies to you, simply fill out the form and mail it to your regional Eligibility Center along with supporting paperwork including a copy of the DD214 discharge paperwork. Don't send originals of the DD214, a photocopy will do. The certificate of eligibility process can be tricky for veterans who were separated from the military with a discharge other than honorable. In this case the VA must investigate the discharge to insure it was not classified as dishonorable. People who fall into this category should seek help from their local VA office, especially if you need to file an appeal to the results of your request of eligibility.
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