While the people I interacted with regularly, like Paul Farnam and others, were very helpful, kind, and professional, the process and underwriting were exceedingly cumbersome and incredibly difficult to navigate. I would even characterize it as almost punitive. I imagine that if we had not had a large down payment (around 50% of the house's value), we would not have been able to secure the loan due to the underwriter. I have a hard time believing that anyone using Veterans United without extraordinary resources can get a house in this market. In fact, almost everyone we talked to who either used Veterans United or works with them via title companies, escrow, etc., counts Veterans United as one of the worst companies to work with. While I am glad the loan came through in the end, it was with considerable stress and redundant paperwork (we submitted the same material several times across multiple documents, making me wonder if the underwriter was actually just AI), which made me regret not looking for another lender. I was told that we were all good up until the last two weeks, but then all of a sudden there were tons of problems that could have been solved months earlier and wouldn't have caused so much difficulty. I want to re-emphasize: Paul was great; but the process was so terrible at the end that I have no wonder left in my mind as to why so many in my generation (millennials) cannot buy a home and get ahead. The process of homeownership is actively killing upward mobility for the exact population VU aims to help.
Response from Veterans United
Hi Paul,
Thank you for taking the time to share such thoughtful feedback. I'm glad to hear your loan officer, Paul, made a positive impression and provided the kind, professional support you deserved throughout your homebuying journey.
I'm sorry the underwriting process felt so overwhelming and stressful. I understand how discouraging it is to feel like you're repeatedly providing the same information, especially after believing everything was on track. That's not the experience we want anyone to have, and I appreciate you sharing how it affected you.
Your perspective on the challenges of today's homebuying process is valuable, and I'd like the opportunity to learn more about your experience. If you're willing, please reach out to me at 1-800-212-5200 or ClientAdvocate@vu.com. The Client Advocate team is available Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Central Time. If you contact us outside those hours, we'll typically respond the next business day.
Thank you again for your honest feedback, and congratulations on your new home. I hope we have the opportunity to speak with you.
Sincerely,
Claire S., Client Relations Manager
The whole team was amazing!
I felt as they had my back the whole time. They were patient with me and always available when I asked questions. Sometimes the questions were answered on off hours or weekends when I knew they weren't at work. I appreciated their dedication and promptness in responding to my concerns.
I was referred to Veterans United by another customer of yours and am thrilled to have worked with Will and his team. I can't say enough great things about how I was treated. The respect that I have been shown just shows me what a great group that you have. I feel that everyone has gone above and beyond to assist me with my home buying experience.
I am most definitely going to refer any other veterans that are interested in buying a home to Veterans United in the future.
You should all be proud of what you have built there.
Thank you again for all of your hard work and dedication to fulfilling my dreams of home ownership.
The paperwork was exceptionally simple. The VU agents were very knowledgeable, friendly, & easy to work with. The agent that was my primary contact, Justin Wandel, was an excellent sales rep who explained details in a very easy to understand way.
Tommy and Caitlin I refer to them as my Dream Team because they went above and beyond with their amazing energy and enthusiasm and efforts to help me have the home that I wanted as well as needed for many years and as a disabled veteran I would recommend that any veteran should seriously seek the assistance of Tommy and Caitlin, and I wish to mention the amazing work and efforts of my real estate agent Kenny who also contributed so very much in helping me get my home. To me! Each of these wonderful people are a part of my life and family.
Kris was awesome and a great help throughout this process.
Thank you Josh for all of your advice and suggestions during the process. Veterans United should be proud to have a stand up guy working on their team. Thank you. The only suggestion........Veterans United should test the knowledge of the Realtor for VA criteria for move in ready houses. This alone would speed up the process and create less stress for the Veterans applying. Thank you
Evan is awesome!!! I was casually looking for the past few years, and finally closed on a house. Throughout the process, Evan would periodically check in to see how I was doing, but I never felt any pressure from him. Super friendly guy and definitely bonded with him well over the years.
Great fast action from offer to close
Im a second time customer of VU, overall, both experiences were positive and the whole process was handled quickly and with very little effort on my part. I will continue to use VU for all of my house purchases.
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It’s always a smooth sailing process working with Veterans United.
Absolutely veteran friendly. No matter what you need, Veterans United and staff get things done! I'm so happy that I chose VU for my loan and can't wait for future investments with them!
Veterans United was absolutely amazing during our home buying process. Kris Carmichael and Meghan Paule, along with everyone on their team made a complicated process unbelievably quick and simple. These guys will 100% be there for you and help to guide you through out the entire process of buying your home. 10/10 would recommend!
Thank you guys for everything!
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Evan picked up everything we needed, slapped it into the system and had us an answer to closing in 30 days.
Heck yeah. I've already told a buddy about your team. Amazing. I'm super poor and you helped me avoid homelessness. Whatever magic levers you people have to pull they are working great. Thank you so much.
Your friend and advocate
Cpl Travis Meyer
Veterans United has done it again, and supported me as a veteran in achieving a home purchase getting me across the finish line and great service and communication throughout the process. Well done!
Wonderful to work with. Went above and beyond. Responded to questions in a timely matter and very professional to work with. Highly recommend.
