Vetted VA: VA Loan - Your Journey Home

Colorado veterans have extra consumer protections when buying or refinancing a home—but many borrowers do not know what to look for. In this episode of the Vetted VA: Your Journey Home Podcast ,Nathan talks with Victor Malone about Colorado’s tangible net benefit rules, VA refinance safeguards, loan comparisons, termite inspection updates, and why thelowest interest rate is not always the best dea...

Veterans in Arizona have some big news . In this episode of the Vetted VA Podcast , Marine Corps veteran andloan officer Matt Burkhead explains Arizona's updated 100% disabledveteran property tax exemption , including the removal of income limits andwhat changes take effect on January 1, 2027 .

If you're a 100% disabled veteran buying a home inTexas, this may be one of the most important conversations you'll hear before closing. Many veterans don't realize that Texas law allowseligible 100% disabled veterans to receive an immediate property tax exemption on their homestead. Unfortunately, some lenders still calculate loan qualifications incorrectly, potentially reducing buyin...

Moving is stressful enough. Setting up internet,utilities, trash service, movers, and home services shouldn't make it worse. In this episode of the Vetted VA Podcast's Journey Homeseries, host Nathan Nottingham sits down with Tiffany Van Dillen from One Source Home Connect to discuss a little-known service that helps veterans, military families, homebuyers, renters, and homeowners simplify...

Many veterans qualify for powerful VA loan benefits, but too often theyare not fully educated on how those benefits work. In this episode of the Vetted VA: Your Journey Home Podcast , we break down key VA loan lessons every veteran, service member, military spouse, and real estate professional should understand before buying a home. You’ll learn: ✅ Why VA loan education matters before making an o...

In this episode of The Journey Home ,Nathan from Vetted VA sits down with Michigan mortgage broker Chris Thomas todiscuss one of the most valuable benefits available to disabled veterans inMichigan: The Disabled Veteran Property Tax Exemption. They cover:✅ How the Michigan property tax exemption works for 100% disabled veterans ✅ Why removing property taxes from escrow could save you money and h...

On this episode of Your Journey Home , we focus on the big-picture strategy behind using a VA loan during a PCS move. Relocations create fast decisions that can either build long-term wealth or create unnecessary stress — and having a plan makes all the difference. We walk through buying versus renting, handling an existing home, entitlement considerations, and how to think strategically when you...

On this episode of Your Journey Home , we tackle one of the biggest sources of confusion for homeowners: escrow accounts. Many buyers are surprised when their mortgage payment changes even though their interest rate hasn’t — and escrow is usually the reason why. We explain how escrow accounts work, why taxes and insurance cause payment fluctuations, and what homeowners can do to stay ahead of surp...

On this episode of Your Journey Home , we break down what a real pre-approval actually looks like — and why skipping steps early can lead to rejected offers or delayed closings later. Pre-approval is more than just getting a letter; it’s a process designed to set buyers up for success. We walk through what lenders should verify upfront and why communication and documentation matter long before you...

On this episode of Your Journey Home , we break down one of the most misunderstood parts of the homebuying process: buying power. Too many buyers focus only on the number on a pre-approval letter without truly understanding what drives affordability or how monthly payments are built. This episode focuses on helping buyers understand the real factors behind what they can comfortably purchase — not...

On this episode of Your Journey Home , we clear up one of the most common sources of confusion around VA loans: credit scores. Many buyers assume a specific number guarantees approval or denial, but the reality is much more nuanced. We explain how lenders actually evaluate credit, what factors matter beyond the score itself, and how buyers can position themselves for success even if their credit i...

On this episode of Your Journey Home , we break down a topic that comes up constantly when veterans feel priced out of their market or can’t find the right property: the VA One-Time Close (OTC) construction loan. If you’ve ever thought about buying land and building from scratch, this conversation highlights both the opportunities and the realities. We walk through what an OTC loan actually is, wh...

On this episode of Your Journey Home , we tackle one of the biggest stress points military families face: preparing for a PCS move in a challenging housing market. Timing, uncertainty, and fast-moving decisions can make relocation overwhelming — especially when deciding whether to rent or buy in a new area. We discuss how to prepare financially and strategically before arriving at your next duty s...

On this episode of Your Journey Home , we focus on what makes a VA offer strong in the eyes of sellers. In competitive markets, preparation and strategy often matter more than price alone, and understanding how to present a clean, confident offer can make all the difference. We cover the steps buyers can take to reduce uncertainty and make their offers easier for sellers to accept. In this episode...

On this episode of Your Journey Home , we break down VA bonus entitlement — a strategy many veterans don’t realize they can use to purchase another home while keeping their current VA loan in place. We explain how entitlement works, when bonus entitlement applies, and how military moves can create opportunities to build flexibility through smart use of your benefits. In this episode, you’ll learn:...

Mortgage Loan Officer | Military Spouse Advocate | Vetted VA Leader Jaime Rhude is a passionate and experienced mortgage loan officer based on Florida’s Space Coast, where rocket launches are as common as her dedication to helping veterans and military families find their perfect home. With a vibrant personality and deep empathy rooted in her life as a 24-year military spouse, Jaime brings a rare...

With nearly two decades in the mortgage industry, Jason York has built a reputation as a servant leader and a relentless advocate for veteran homeownership. Starting his career when his first son was just a month old, Jason quickly found his purpose in serving military families—a passion that has shaped every aspect of his professional journey. Jason spent over 15 years at GoPrime Mortgage, where...

Gary Foote is a dual-licensed real estate agent and mortgage professional serving clients in both Tennessee and California. With over 15 years of experience in housing and ministry, Gary brings a service-first mindset to every transaction. He began his career out of necessity during the 2009 housing crash and found purpose in helping others through their most vulnerable transitions, especially vet...

Dallas Hidalgo is a Colorado-based real estate agent and founder of Ohana Style Realty, where every client is treated like family. With deep roots in both California and Hawaii, Dallas brings a warm, people-first approach to real estate, built on years of experience in construction, property management, and mortgage credit education. His background gives him a rare, full-circle view of the homebuy...

Brendan McKay is the founder and president of McKay Mortgage, an independent mortgage brokerage based in Bethesda, Maryland, co-founded with his mother, industry veteran Tina McKay. What began as a family business has grown into a mission-driven operation that prioritizes excellence, transparency, and advocacy—especially in serving America’s veteran community. Brendan is a nationally recognized ad...

Aaron Clark – Serving Those Who Serve with Integrity and Grit Aaron Clark is a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, 27-year firefighter, and founder of Firehouse Mortgage, a Texas-based brokerage dedicated to helping fellow veterans and public servants achieve homeownership through the VA loan benefit. Based in the Houston area, Aaron is a trusted Vetted VA moderator, known for his straight-talking, no-nons...

Jason Sharon – Closing the Gaps Others Miss Jason Sharon is a 20-year Navy veteran turned mortgage expert who specializes in solving the toughest VA loan challenges. Based in Charleston, South Carolina and licensed across the Southeast, Jason is a longtime Vetted VA moderator and one of the earliest adopters of its mission to serve veterans with accuracy and care. Known for his mastery of VA guide...

Clyde Penton – Helping Veterans Find Home, One Conversation at a Time Clyde Penton never set out to work in mortgages—it found him. Back in 2002, a friend suggested he give it a shot. With no background in the business and even less knowledge of the VA home loan, Clyde took a chance. Like many, he stumbled his way in, took a break during the housing crash, and came back in 2012 with a fresh perspe...

Randy Teakell – Texas Loan Pro, Veteran Advocate, and All-Around Good Guy If you’ve spent any time in the Vetted VA community, there’s a good chance you’ve come across Randy Teakell—offering guidance, answering questions, or sharing a story that somehow brings a complicated VA loan scenario down to earth. Based in Celina, Texas (just north of Dallas), Randy’s one of those rare people who makes you...

Shaun Hamman isn’t just a mortgage pro—he’s a Marine, a mentor, a relentless learner, and someone who never stops giving back to the veteran community he proudly belongs to. With years of experience crisscrossing the East Coast in both life and career, Shaun’s seen the mortgage industry from nearly every angle. He’s been a broker, a lender, a product creator, and now a leader at American Financial...