VA Buyers Only Needed $6000 to Buy Their First Home

Congratulations to Tatiana and Madison, veterans and first-time home buyers! They were able to buy their first home with only $6000 and VA loan with a 0% down payment! Despite facing several challenges along the way, they remained positive and handled each obstacle with level heads and humor.

Making Offers

Tatiana and Madison made offers on three different homes before finding the perfect one. It can be difficult for first-time buyers or veterans with a 0% down VA loan to have their offer accepted, especially in a multiple-offer situation. Fortunately, they found a home that had just come back on the market after a previous sale fell through. It had been sitting for a few weeks and we identified it as a great opportunity with lots of potential. They acted quickly, making a great offer that was ultimately accepted.

Inspection

As their guide through the inspection process, I discovered that the home was in good shape overall.  With only two necessary repairs and a handful of average maintenance items that came up. I was able to negotiate with the seller to cover the cost of the larger repair and to provide a home warranty.

Tidewater Appraisal

When the appraisal process began, we faced some challenges due to the strict nature of VA appraisals. We received a “Tidewater” appraisal notice which means the appraiser couldn’t decide on a price. To help support the sales price we offered, I gathered a list of comparable recently sold homes and spoke to the listing agents who sold them. I presented my findings in a report to the appraiser, who ultimately agreed with our price. Although a smaller repair was required, I was prepared with a quote I already received from a trusted contractor. We were able to get the repair done the same week and paid for out of escrow.

Closing with Only $6000!

Despite a few delays and paperwork issues from the lender, Tatiana and Madison remained level-headed and patient. In the end, they were able to purchase a great house at a great price with very little money due at closing. Thanks to the 0% down VA loan and the seller’s contributions I negotiated, their out-of-pocket costs were only $6050! They offered $2000 in earnest money, paid $800 for inspections, and their final closing costs were $3250.

It was an honor to assist Tatiana and Madison in purchasing their first home. I’m so grateful for their trust in me and happy to celebrate their huge achievement!  Congratulations, Tatiana and Madison!

If you are a first-time buyer, a veteran, or someone who wants to know how they can buy a house with little upfront costs, please give me a call! I specialize in working with first-time buyers and love to teach folks that buying a house with little money down is possible. While a zero-down loan isn’t necessarily simple, there are hoops to jump through and it comes with some challenges in the short term. But, owning a home and starting to build that equity for yourself is going to help you level up in life and make a big difference long term. It’s worth exploring, and I’m happy to help walk you through it.

Mel Marzahl

Broker | OR

She/Her

Raised in the Pacific Northwest, Mel became a passionate advocate for homeownership and investing in real estate after buying and selling her first home. What drew her to it was realizing the significant financial impact the right investment property can make and learning how much having a home to truly call your own can improve your quality of life. Her specialties are working with first-time home buyers and sellers yet she is fluent in all aspects of residential real estate. She is trained extensively in real estate negotiation, holding both the CNE (Certified Negotiation Expert) and RENE (Real Estate Negotiations Expert) designations. Mel knows that with all the technology available to buyers and sellers, one of the best skills a REALTOR® can have is knowing how to be a collaborative negotiator to get the best outcome for their clients. After a decade-long career working in operations and client service for creative companies, Mel earned her Broker’s license and made the move to real estate. She listens to her client’s needs and aims to treat everyone involved in a transaction with honesty and integrity. She loves getting to know her clients, their wants, and needs to ensure they get the highest level of service Mel is known for. Mel brings creativity and an eye for detail to the table with a background in art and events. She enjoys a remodel or renovation project, has a soft spot for old craftsman homes, loves helping first-time buyers, and educating her clients on the selling and purchasing process. She believes in staying up to date on market trends, technology, and tools available to real estate agents. This gives her an edge when it comes to marketing properties and communicating with her clients. When Mel is not working in real estate she is volunteering with the Red Cross, gardening, hosting dinner parties, or relaxing at home on Bull Mountain with her husband, son, two big dogs, and a handful of chickens.

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• T: 503-443-5382
• mel@livingroomre.com