Benefits help individuals obtain something they desire. Some of these can make a large difference in a person's life.

A VA Home Loan is an example of a benefit that plays a significant role in a potential buyer's decisions to finance a home.

For servicemembers and veterans thinking about using their VA Home Loan benefit, two real estate agencies provide expertise and classes to help make the benefit a reality.

ANB Homes

A family-owned organization, ANB Homes helps consumers from all demographics with home ownership throughout King, Pierce and Thurston counties.

"We are reliable, and that develops trust and confidence," said Army veteran Rashan Clark, an ANB real estate broker.

"Our mission is to be a one-stop shop for all your real estate needs."

He also said that ANB works closely with veterans and servicemembers by checking their credit, processing all paperwork, and helping with loan approval.

"We are with you each step of the way," Clark added.

To help veterans and servicemembers understand the home-buying process, ANB will offer a free homebuyer class March 23 from noon-3 p.m. at Swasey Library, located at 7001 6th Ave., Tacoma.

The class will present information on the VA Loan and home-buying process, credit and budgeting information, and free one-on-one consultations.

"Thank you for your service!" concluded Clark.

For more information, visit: caliberhomeloans.com/tbennett or call 253.861.3611.

Home Team DuPont

Tina Torfin knows the military community and the real estate market.

For over the past dozen years, she has served military families on and around Joint Base Lewis-McChord as president of the Lacey Association of the United States Army and as an honorary commander for the 62nd Airlift Wing Operations Support Squadron.

As a realtor, Torfin understands the interplay between a servicemember or veteran's VA Home Loan benefits and how to use them.

"We have the knowledge on how the program works, and we also have the ability to make the process the easiest we can," she explained.

To provide top-notch service, Torfin and her colleagues have teamed up with the Fairway Independent Mortgage Corporation, which has trained over 4,000 realtors on working with veterans.

Specifically, Home Team DuPont helps servicemembers and veterans obtain their certificates of loan eligibility, work with the VA concerning entitlement use, and update information the VA has on file.

"It is important for these individuals to educate themselves," continued Torfin, "as there is so much that can be done with the VA Loan that can really benefit veteran homebuyers."

To help their clients get the most out of their VA Loan, Home Team DuPont and Scott Collins of Fairway Independent Mortgage Corporation's host VA Home Loan Workshops.

"Scott Collins has closed well over 1,000 VA Loans and educated hundreds of veterans and realtors on how the VA Home Loan works," Torfin added.

For more information on the next workshop, contact Collins at scott.collins@fairwaymc.com or Torfin at tina@hometeamdupont.com.