Helena VA Loan Rates, Closing Costs & Stats

Helena, MT

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    • A VA loan is a mortgage loan that’s backed by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for those who have served or are presently serving in the U.S. military. The VA does not directly lend, it guarantees the loans made by private lenders to veterans, active military personnel, and qualifying military spouses.

    The most obvious benefit of VA loans is that no downpayment is necessary to purchase a home. They will also typically have significantly lower fees-- meaning that if you're eligible to receive a VA loan, it will likely be the most favorable option. VA loans come in 3 varities: purchase, refinance and cash out refis.

    For additional benefits of VA loans, click here.

    Helena's 34 lenders originated 158 VA loans during 2023. The total origination value was $68,180,000, with an average VA loan value of $431,519.

    Helena VA Loans, 30 Year Fixed Rates

    30 Year VA mortgages in Helena averaged 6.55% for the week of 2024-11-08, compared to the national average (all VA variants) of 6.34% for the same period.

    Helena's average VA mortgage closing costs are $6,887.

    The average rate for the prior week (2024-11-01) was 6.21% and one month ago for the week of 2024-10-04, the average rate was 5.64%.

    The average rate one year ago was 7.29%.

    For refis of the same type during the week of 2024-11-08, the average rate was 6.24%.

    Click on whitespace and scroll within the chart to zoom in/out. Larger bubbles equate with more originations.

    Helena VA Loan Lenders by Rates & Fees

    The below table looks at the average fees/closing costs and rates for VA 30 Year Fixed Rate (purchase, first lien) mortgages originated by each lender at the Helena level.

    Name # of Loans 2023 Avg. 30yFix Rate 2023 Avg. Closing Costs
    Mortgage Research Center, LLC 20 6.74% $8,364
    Opportunity Bank of Montana 18 6.03% $9,397
    MANN FINANCIAL INC. 14 6.21% $11,711
    UNITED WHOLESALE MORTGAGE, LLC 13 5.91% $8,599
    QUICKEN LOANS, LLC 11 5.94% $16,562
    GUARANTEED RATE, INC. 8 6.09% $8,322
    USAA Federal Savings Bank 8 6.16% $13,590
    FAIRWAY INDEPENDENT MORTGAGE CORPORATION 6 6.31% $5,677
    NAVY FEDERAL CREDIT UNION 4 5.81% $8,454
    PENNYMAC LOAN SERVICES, LLC 4 5.22% $7,138
    FREEDOM MORTGAGE CORPORATION 4 6.13% $19,397
    U.S. Bank 3 6.46% $9,484
    LOANDEPOT.COM, LLC 3 5.58% $24,295
    NEW DAY FINANCIAL, LLC 3 7.66% $13,985
    Stockman Bank of Montana 3 6.21% $8,413
    The Federal Savings Bank 3 6.13% $20,945
    Paramount Residential Mortgage Group, Inc. 2 6.75% $11,101
    BNC National Bank 2 5.44% $3,286
    Mr. Cooper ( Nationstar Mortgage ) 2 6.38% $12,373
    CARDINAL FINANCIAL 1 6.25% $21,324
    NEWREZ LLC 1 5.63% $35,258
    ENVOY MORTGAGE, LTD 1 7.25% $7,680
    CROSSCOUNTRY MORTGAGE, LLC 1 6.75% $14,982
    Plains Commerce Bank 1 5.25% $10,002
    MUTUAL OF OMAHA MORTGAGE, INC. 1 5.75% $7,394
    PLAZA HOME MORTGAGE, INC. 1 6.75% $18,599
    CHURCHILL MORTGAGE CORPORATION 1 5.75% $902
    Sierra Pacific Mortgage Company, Inc. 1 5.99% $8,478
    BROKER SOLUTIONS, INC. 1 6.50% $26,302
    Mid-Continent Funding, Inc. 1 6.99% $5,933
    HOMEBRIDGE FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC. 1 5.50% $4,280
    PLANET HOME LENDING, LLC 1 6.99% $1,977
    First Interstate Bank 1 5.75% $34,404
    NETWORK CAPITAL FUNDING CORPORATION 1 5.50% $10,610

    The top Helena VA lender as defined by loan originations is Mortgage Research Center, LLC, with 20 VA loans originated. Their average total fees are $8,364, which is $1,033 lower than the next largest lender, Opportunity Bank of Montana.

    The lowest fee Helena VA lenders (with over 10 loans originated) are Mortgage Research Center, LLC ($8,364), UNITED WHOLESALE MORTGAGE, LLC ($8,599), Opportunity Bank of Montana ($9,397), MANN FINANCIAL INC. ($11,711) and QUICKEN LOANS, LLC ($16,562).

    The lowest rate Helena VA lenders (with over 10 loans originated) are UNITED WHOLESALE MORTGAGE, LLC (5.91%), QUICKEN LOANS, LLC (5.94%), Opportunity Bank of Montana (6.03%), MANN FINANCIAL INC. (6.21%) and Mortgage Research Center, LLC (6.74%).

    VA Loan Features

  • No down payment required
  • Negotiable and competitive interest rate.
  • Ability to finance the VA funding fee (plus reduced funding fees with a down payment of at least 5 percent and exemption for veterans receiving VA compensation).
  • VA rules limit the amount you can be charged for closing costs.
  • Closing costs are comparable with other financing types (and may be lower).
  • Closing costs may be paid by the seller.
  • No private mortgage insurance premiums are required.
  • An assumable mortgage.
  • Right to prepay your mortgage without penalty.
  • For homes inspected by VA during construction, a warranty from builder and assistance from VA to obtain cooperation of builder.
  • VA assistance to veteran borrowers in default due to temporary financial difficulty.