Future Military Homeowners
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A petite brunette with twinkling blue eyes and dimpled cheeks, Carla Blair-Gamblian might not look like the type you’d choose to be on your side in a fight. But don’t let her appearance fool you.
Carla works in the credit repair trenches, and she has helped clients tackle just about every credit problem you can imagine. And while each of Carla’s clients has a unique story, they also have a few things in common. They’ve served our country in the military and want to buy a home, but their credit is holding them back. Perhaps most importantly, they’re ready to do something about it.
Veterans United’s Department of Secondary Approval can help soldiers looking to buy a home but with credit holding them back.
Building Credit
Veterans United’s Department of Secondary Approval (DSA) exists for these men and women. It’s a free service where consultants like Carla team up with future military homeowners and help them repair their credit. There’s no secret formula or shady dealing here: just sound advice that works.
“Working for DSA isn’t about just giving someone a few tips to raise their score,” Carla said. “It is an opportunity to educate them on how credit works. I help people improve their credit by making sure they understand their report and what impacts their score.”
Credit is a growing issue of concern for home buyers, and it affects military members even more than the average citizen. Frequent moves increase opportunities for bills and notifications to slip through the cracks. Add deployments, training and other “calls of duty,” and it’s a real challenge to maintain good credit.
But service members can work one-on-one with DSA credit counselors and get their financial situation back on track.
“…we create a plan of action based on their budget, time frame, and our lender guidelines,” Carla said. “Depending on the credit report, a lot of people notice changes in as little as 2-3 weeks, but I’ve worked with some people for 3 days, some 3 years.”
To contact Veterans United’s DSA department, give them a call at 888-392-7421.
Building a Future
Take James, for example. When we first spoke with him, he was afraid that he would never be able to buy a home:
“Normally I was too embarrassed to let anyone know what my score was, which at the time was around 536. Jake Levy [a Home Loan Consultant] gave me some advice on basic things to do to get me started… and I went to work immediately…. Within 7 months time frame I had pulled myself out of the hole that had been created and kept me burdened for so long…. My credit rating now is currently at 721 and has held steady for the past 5 months, and I still work hard at getting it higher.
And once Jake helped him get his credit score where he wanted it, Veterans United was able to help James the rest of the way to his dream of owning a home.
“Right away Cooper Allen [a loan officer] went to work on my loan application. The realtor Cooper advised me to use was a real go-getter… and believe it or not we found the home I always wanted on the first day of going out in the field. Cooper worked diligently on getting all of the necessary paperwork to complete the process done and… I signed on the deadline that we discussed prior to me even looking at the house.
My dream is now a reality, and I owe a lot to these two guys. It is because of people like them that make all of us that have served and are currently serving in the military proud to serve each and every day.”
Though James is grateful to the team members who helped him out, it was his own hard work that made him a homeowner. And at the end of the day, Carla, Jake, Cooper, and the rest of their team are just glad that they can come alongside and help.
“We all want to share what we know and help those around us, and DSA gives me that opportunity every day,” Carla said. “The icing on the cake is that I’m helping veterans and active duty service members. I don’t know anyone who wouldn’t be proud to be helping America’s protectors.”
To contact Veterans United’s DSA department, give them a call at 888-392-7421.
Photo courtesy soldiersmediacenter
31 Comments
I am interested in buying a home; however my credit score is low around 600-625, many inquiries, bankruptcy (discharged Feb 2007), that coupled with my age (66) makes wonder if I could or should seek help financing. I am retired military E8, with 22.5 years for pay and a total of 28 years service
We are currently in this situation and have just been waiting for our score to raise. It does not appear to be doing so and we have followed multiple counselors advice.
My name is Jamie Brown and i’ve been trying to use my eligibility for a loan certificate for years now and i was never able to do it because of my credit problems also…..I would love to try and get my credit back on track. I was in the US Navy in 1989-1990. My credit score is 505. Is there any help for me?
@Lawrence- If you’d like to give a VA loan a try, I’d encourage you to check our DSA department out. Great folks, as you can see in the article, and they’ll work with you to see where you’re at and get you where you need to be.
@Amy- Have you worked with VA Mortgage Center.com’s DSA department when you’ve worked with counselors?
@Jamie- We think there is always a way out of credit issues, it can just take time, some hard work and a guide through the process. Let me know if you’d like a hand and I’ll point you their way.
DSA is a great department to work with. I am currently working with a great guy in the DSA department and he has helped me a great deal. I can not thank him enough I have also worked with repair agencies and have come to the conclusion that they are just in it for the money. We have scheduled a “pull” date for late next week. Hopefully we are where we need to be next week. Keep your fingers crossed for us.
Can someone give some information or point me in the right direction to get help with my VA home loan please?
Hi Bertha- I’d suggest checking in with our friends over a VA Mortgage Center.com. Good people, really know what they’re doing and can help you every step of the way. Give them a call at 888-212-1958 or go to VAMortgageCenter.com. Good luck!
We are currently looking into buying a home, but our credit score is low. How do we improve our credit to be able to buy home?
Bertha- if you’re looking for a VA loan, I’d point you no further than to talk to our friends over at VA Mortgage Center.com. Great people, and really know their stuff. Give them a call if you’d like some more info and a good guide through the process: 888-212-1958. Good luck!
i wont a home
please
Kenneth-
We would love to help you with a VA loan. Here is a link with more information on how to begin: http://www.veteransunited.com/va-loans/refinance/get-started/. If you have any questions, please contact our loan specialists at 888-212-1958.
Brittny
Wow…I’ve worked with Carla and she’s give great advice. She doesnt have a magic potion that will make your credit score go higher, she just keeps things realistic with you. I worked with her for about 4mos and i felt confident knowing that i can handle my credit situation when i had her a email away..! I highly recommend to get with Carla on your credit situation, i am currently getting ready to close on my first house something i never imagine i would be in…!!!
@Tiffany- Just like James in the article, you might be able to work with our DSA department and raise those scores.
how do i go about talking with the DSA to improve our credit score ?
Hey Tiffany- all you need to do is give them a call- their number is 888-212-1958. Good luck!
I already have a VA loan and I am thinking of refinancing. I have a bankruptcy coming off in November but have some collections from an ex- wife. I believe my score to be around 650 now. Should I wait till some things come off or try to refinance now?
Bruce-
Please contact our loan specialists at 888-212-1958. They would be happy to look into your personal situation and answer any questions you may have.
My credit is terrible I’m sure.I’m a disabled vet.I live on disability from the Va and SS.I have a home that was willed to me. But I would like to move into another home that is bigger as I have 3 children.Even if I have bad credit–my income is steady and reliable.Couldn’t I use my home now as a down payment for another home???
Martin-
Having fair credit is important for any type of home loan. I would recommend you contact the Department of Secondary Approval at Veterans United Home Loans. They help veterans and active duty personnel (for free) build a path toward repairing their credit and getting prepared to prequalify. I’ve heard a lot of success stories from borrowers who were able to boost their score and secure financing. You can reach a DSA specialist at 888-392-7421.
I am too far in the hole to try to get a VA home loan right now, but I could use a small business grant of about 2,500 and I sure do need help getting my credit back together with a few defaulted student loans, and some tax arrears. could you all get me on track?
Rickey-
We work with a great credit repair division, the Department of Secondary Approval. Credit experts work one-on-one with military borrowers to craft personalized plans for boosting their score and getting on the path to loan prequalification. DSA is a free service open to any veteran or active duty service member. You can contact the DSA at 888-392-7421.
I asked for help on my credit about 3 or 4 months ago, havent heard nothing since, I am 100% disabled , dont have very bad credit, but its not the required 620.
Same with my husband he is 100% disabled and when he got out of the military the waiting for disability messed up our credit badly, it used to be a 721 now it’s 523, It’s sad that our credit is stopping our family from having our own home.
Smashley-
I would suggest you contact the Department of Secondary Approval.Credit experts work one-on-one with military borrowers to craft personalized plans for boosting their score and getting on the path to loan prequalification. DSA is a free service open to any veteran or active duty service member. You can contact the DSA at 888-392-7421.
Rockywhite-
I am sorry to hear this. Did you call the Department of Secondary Approval? You can contact the DSA at 888-392-7421.
I have a co-sign lease that the lease was broken by my son and it has shown up on my credit report – this happened in 2006 – how will th is affect my loan process… I believe my credit score should be at least 640 –
Carrie,
The cosigning your son’s lease will show up on your credit report and affect your score. This is only a bad thing if your son missed lease payments. However, if your son made payments on time and managed the lease well, then it won’t hurt your credit history. In fact, it could have been good for it.
I’d recommend checking your credit report for free at https://www.annualcreditreport.com. You’ll have to pay to see your credit scores, but the report can give you a good idea of where you are.
=Christian L. @ Smart Military Money
Does the DSA clean your credit up for you or just give you advice? Can I call on my husbands behalf?
Ashley-
Through the DSA, credit experts work one-on-one with military borrowers to craft personalized plans for boosting their score and getting on the path to loan prequalification. DSA is a free service open to any veteran or active duty service member. Both you and your husbands credit will be looked at for a VA loan. Here is a link to the website with more information: http://www.veteransunited.com/va-loans/low-credit/.
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[...] experts. Even if you’ve worked with credit counselors in the past, chatting with a team like the Department of Secondary Approval at VA Mortgage Center.com can really help veterans and active duty personnel get on the right track [...]
[...] their own plan (for free) to repair their credit and get ready for loan prequalification. You can learn more about our Department of Secondary Approval at our sister site, Future Military Homeowners. Call a credit specialist at DSA anytime [...]
[...] who contact us and fall short of that 620 credit benchmark can work with our Department of Secondary Approval, a unique wing of the company that works with veterans and active military for free to boost their [...]