The Las Vegas Veteran

Las Vegas, Nevada, is nestled between two active U.S. military bases, providing the city with nearly 40,000 military veterans. With that comes veterans looking to buy homes. The Las Vegas Chapter of the Veteran Association of Real Estate Professionals (VAREP) is a non-profit organization working to educate real estate agents and lenders in the city about the benefits and rules of Veteran Affairs (VA) Home Loans.

Ernie Gonzales is a U.S. Army veteran and real estate professional in Las Vegas. Throughout his years working in real estate, he noticed the need for VA Home Loan education in his industry. Gonzales saw that many lenders and listing agents would refuse to work with the loan due to stigmas and misinformation.

In 2014, after researching and realizing how beneficial the VA loan could be for veterans, Gonzales and his fellow real estate and loan officer friends, Billy Alt and Scott Robinson launched the Las Vegas VAREP chapter. “Our main goal was to change that stigma [and] change the mindset of the real estate community,” Gonzales said.

Thanks to the efforts of VAREP and its volunteers, it seems Las Vegas’ usage and knowledge of the VA loan has flourished. They have hosted hundreds of classes for the city’s real estate industry, spreading positive and correct information about how the VA Home Loan can benefit local veterans.

VAREP has also branched out into more charities throughout the years. To date, they have given away 55 mortgage-free homes to deserving veterans and have worked with over 150 United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) clients across the country.

You can find more information about the VA Home Loan through the Veteran Affairs website. The website includes information about mortgage assistance, how to apply, and eligibility. Additionally, real estate professionals and lenders can learn more about VAREP and how to help veterans take full advantage of their housing benefits by visiting the VAREP website.

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