Watertown VA Loan Rates, Closing Costs & Stats

Watertown, SD

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.

Watertown's 16 lenders originated 44 VA loans during 2023. The total origination value was $14,990,000, with an average VA loan value of $340,682.

Watertown VA Loans, 30 Year Fixed Rates

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

Watertown's average VA mortgage closing costs are $5,964.

The average rate for the prior week (2024-11-01) was 6.2% and one month ago for the week of 2024-10-04, the average rate was 5.43%.

The average rate one year ago was 7.08%.

For refis of the same type during the week of 2024-11-08, the average rate was 6.14%.

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

Watertown 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 Watertown level.

Name # of Loans 2023 Avg. 30yFix Rate 2023 Avg. Closing Costs
Mortgage Research Center, LLC 8 7.06% $2,905
FAIRWAY INDEPENDENT MORTGAGE CORPORATION 7 6.55% $8,612
Plains Commerce Bank 4 6.59% $14,674
USAA Federal Savings Bank 3 5.83% $12,468
Dacotah Bank 3 5.83% $3,668
First Bank & Trust 3 5.42% $8,438
GUARANTEED RATE, INC. 3 6.67% $7,017
Servion, Inc. 3 6.54% $7,505
First PREMIER Bank 2 6.25% $8,039
American Bank & Trust 2 6.50% $7,426
BLACK HILLS FEDERAL CREDIT UNION 1 6.49% $13,950
QUICKEN LOANS, LLC 1 4.99% $9,213
UNITED WHOLESALE MORTGAGE, LLC 1 5.60% $20,968
Summit Mortgage Corporation 1 6.25% $22,281
FREEDOM MORTGAGE CORPORATION 1 6.75% $10,802
NAVY FEDERAL CREDIT UNION 1 6.25% $11,429

The top Watertown VA lender as defined by loan originations is Mortgage Research Center, LLC, with 8 VA loans originated. Their average total fees are $2,905, which is $5,707 lower than the next largest lender, FAIRWAY INDEPENDENT MORTGAGE CORPORATION.

The lowest fee Watertown VA lenders (with over 10 loans originated) are .

The lowest rate Watertown VA lenders (with over 10 loans originated) are .

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.