Mortgage FAQs

HomeSquad is your personalized loan hub where you can apply for a mortgage and complete the home loan process. You’ll be able to access HomeSquad after you submit your application. Here are some of the things you can do with HomeSquad:

How do I sign in to HomeSquad?

If you’ve already submitted your loan application, you can access your HomeSquad dashboard by signing in to online banking. If there's more than one borrower on your loan, you'll share the same loan hub.
Please Note: HomeSquad works best in the Google Chrome TM browser.

How long does it take to get a mortgage?

It typically takes 30 days to close on your mortgage once you’ve submitted all required paperwork and documents. However, closing times vary based on many factors, so check with your home loan advisor early in the process to better understand when you can expect to close.

If you're planning to refinance your home, closing times take about 30-45 days.

How do I contact Navy Federal Credit Union about my mortgage?

To contact us about your mortgage, call 1-888-842-6328.

Can I buy a home if I have less-than-perfect credit?

Yes, you may be able to buy a home, even if your credit score is less than perfect. We can help you find the best option for your situation. For more information, call us at 1-888-842-6328.

Do I need a real estate agent to buy a home?

It’s a good idea to use a real estate agent when you’re buying a home. You can choose a top-performing agent with expertise in your area through Navy Federal's RealtyPlus® program. You can also get cash back by using this program to buy and/or sell your home. Footnote 1

How do I make an offer on a home?

When you find a home you'd like to buy, your real estate agent will help you make an offer. If you don't have an agent, please contact us at 1-888-842-6328, and we'll connect with you one of our RealtyPlus® partners. If you use an agent through RealtyPlus®, you may be eligible to receive cash back after closing. Footnote 1

Can I buy a short sale/foreclosure?

Yes, Navy Federal may accept properties that are subject to a short sale or foreclosure on a case-by-case basis. But due to the complicated nature of these particular transactions, we may require you to submit a full application in order to make a decision. If you decide to pursue an application, please contact your home loan advisor or call us at 1-888-842-6328.

Mortgage Loans, Rates and Features

How do I show that I’m eligible for a VA loan?

To show eligibility for a VA loan, you’ll need to provide a valid Certificate of Eligibility (COE). Your Navy Federal home loan advisor can obtain the COE for you through the Department of Veterans Affairs.

What's the difference between a fixed-rate and an adjustable-rate mortgage?

With a fixed-rate mortgage, your interest rate stays the same for the life of your loan. With an adjustable rate, your loan begins with a fixed rate for a specified period of time and then adjusts higher or lower based on an index.

Does Navy Federal offer construction loans?

No, Navy Federal doesn't offer funding for new construction. However, once construction is complete, you can refinance your funding into a mortgage loan with Navy Federal.

Can Navy Federal match my builder incentives?

Yes. In order for Navy Federal to consider matching builder incentives, the incentive must be a monetary amount listed within the agreement, typically an amount toward the buyer's closing cost. Physical items such as washers/dryers cannot be matched.

You’ll need to provide copies of the competitor's Loan Estimate and the purchase agreement that shows the incentive being offered when using a particular lender.

Does Navy Federal have a first-time buyer program?

No, Navy Federal doesn't have a first-time homebuyer program. We do offer loan products with no-down-payment options and no PMI that could make buying a home more affordable for first-time homebuyers. Footnote 2 Check out our Mortgage Match video to see which loan could be best for you.

What’s the difference between an interest rate and an annual percentage rate (APR)?

An interest rate is the cost you pay annually to borrow money, expressed as a percentage of your total loan. In contrast, APR includes the interest rate plus other costs, such as mortgage insurance, discount points and some closing costs and loan origination fees. Footnote 3

How is my mortgage interest rate determined?

Navy Federal takes many factors into account to determine your mortgage interest rate, including, but not limited to, the following:

What’s the difference between a mortgage rate lock, a float and a rate lock float down?

After you complete your application and find the home you wish to buy, you’ll be asked to choose your rate lock option—to lock, float or lock float down.

We offer a special lock float-down option called Special Freedom Lock, allowing you to float down twice, as long as the total rate reduction doesn't exceed 0.500%. Your loan must close within 60 days of the initial lock. Most lenders charge a fee to lock float down, but we offer it at no charge.

To take advantage of Special Freedom Lock, you must contact your home loan officer at least 7 calendar days prior to settlement to relock at the lower rate. Special Freedom Lock can be extended past the 60-day promotional period for an additional fee. Ask your home loan advisor for more information. Footnote 4

What fees should I expect as part of my mortgage?

Common types of mortgage fees include origination, application, credit report, appraisal, processing and underwriting. Navy Federal doesn’t require an application fee. Applicable fees will be listed on your Loan Estimate form, which you'll receive after applying for a mortgage.

Do I need a down payment?

Not always. Many of our mortgage loans are available to qualified applicants with no down payment or little down payment required. Footnote 5

What if I find a lower rate with another lender?

Navy Federal offers a rate match guarantee, Footnote 6 which means that if you find a better rate with another lender, we’ll match it. If we aren’t able to match it, we’ll give you $1,000 after you close with the competing lender.

To qualify for our rate match guarantee, you’ll need to lock in your rate with us before you submit your rate match request. A Loan Estimate and the rate lock disclosure from the competing lender must be received within 3 calendar days of locking with Navy Federal. The rate must be locked with the competing lender. The date of the Loan Estimate and the lock effective date with the competing lender must be within 3 calendar days of the rate lock with Navy Federal. Loan terms on the competing loan must be identical to the terms of your Navy Federal loan.

If we can’t match the competing rate and you qualify to receive $1,000, you must provide a signed executed copy of the final Closing Disclosure from the competing lender and a copy of your final mortgage note within 30 calendar days of your loan closing. Once approved, $1,000 will be automatically deposited into your Navy Federal account within 30 days of receiving the necessary documentation.

What's private mortgage insurance (PMI)?

PMI is insurance that a buyer pays to protect the lender in case your loan ends up in foreclosure. Though most lenders require PMI for home purchases with down payments of less than 20%, Navy Federal offers many loan products that don’t require PMI. This can keep your monthly payment lower.

What are discount points?

Discount points are optional fees you can pay directly to Navy Federal at closing in exchange for a reduced interest rate. One point is equal to 1% of the total loan amount. Depending on how long you plan to be in your home, it might make sense to pay these points and obtain a lower rate.

Applying for a Mortgage

When does a hard inquiry occur on my credit when I apply for mortgage?

A hard inquiry occurs once you provide your consent during the application process.

What's a mortgage preapproval?

A preapproval shows how much you'll be eligible to borrow when you decide to make an offer on a home. Your preapproval is based on information you provide, including your credit score, income, assets, debts, employment history and other financial information. The preapproval isn’t a commitment to lend yet—your information will still need to be verified with supporting documentation.

How do I get a preapproval letter?

After you submit an application for a loan, you may be instantly preapproved. When this happens, you’ll be able to access your preapproval letter in the Documents section of HomeSquad. However, we often need additional information after you submit your application. In that case, a home loan advisor will contact you in 1 business day to discuss next steps.

What steps should I take before I apply for a preapproval?

Before you apply for a preapproval, you’ll want to check your current credit report to verify that all information is correct, and to see if there are any improvements you want to make to your credit to boost your chances of qualifying for a better rate.

What's the maximum I can get approved for?

Several factors are involved in determining how much you can borrow for a home loan, including your income and debt, savings, credit score and interest rate. Check out our Mortgage Qualification Calculator to get an idea of how much you may qualify to borrow.

What should I do once I receive my preapproval letter?

After you receive your preapproval letter, start collecting the following documents and information for all borrowers so you'll have them ready for the verification process.

Once you've found your home, upload your purchase agreement in HomeSquad using the Purchase Agreement task. Your request for preapproval will then convert to a mortgage application.

How do I know if I've been preapproved for a mortgage?

You should receive an email letting you know that you’ve been preapproved. If you haven’t received one yet, please contact us at 1-888-842-6328 for further assistance.

Can I be approved for a higher loan amount?

Your credit score, income and existing debts directly affect how much you qualify to borrow. If you’d like to try to qualify for a higher amount, contact your home loan advisor or call us at 1-888-842-6328 to discuss your situation.

Can I get a revised preapproval letter for my offer?

In order to change the amount of your preapproval letter, please contact your home loan advisor or call us at 1-888-842-6328.

How long is my preapproval letter good for?

Your preapproval letter is good for 90 days. If you are not able to find a home within that timeframe, we encourage you to reapply.

How do I check the status of my mortgage application?

To check the status of your mortgage application, visit HomeSquad by signing in to your online account and selecting Loans & Credit. You can always contact your home loan advisor for additional information or call 1-888-842-6328.

What's a Loan Estimate (LE)?

A Loan Estimate is an industry-standard form we'll give you after you apply for a mortgage. It provides you with important information about your loan, including the interest rate, monthly payment and estimated closing costs. Since these line items are estimates, certain costs may change between the original Loan Estimate and your closing date.

What documents and information are needed to verify self-employed income?

The mortgage process is a little different when you’re self-employed and usually involves more documentation to prove the existence and stability of your business and income. Footnote 7

Start collecting the following information as soon as you get your preapproval letter, so you’ll be ready to upload documents during the verification process: