The family looked first at a foreclosed home to purchase and quickly grew disenchanted with the process.

"We found our home at Capistrano in mid-August and we moved in just three weeks later," Wendy Sweet said. "We were able to get a brand-new home with thousands of dollars in upgrades including backyard landscaping without any hassles."

The Sweets were also able to take advantage of the special Veterans Affairs financing by working with their lender, Pardee Home Loans.

"The VA financing had a big impact, too, and enabled us to lock in at a low interest rate," Kevin Sweet said. And, the energy-efficient design and feature of our home is already saving us money as well."

Sherri Reis, branch sales manager of Pardee Home Loans, said that Veterans Affairs financing is a great program for those who are eligible.

"Veterans Affairs financing offers low or no down payment with favorable loan terms and rates of interest that are competitive with other types of mortgage loans," Reiss said. "With thousands of active duty and retired military service men and women in Southern Nevada, it is worth checking with the local Veterans Affairs office to confirm eligibility."

Those eligible may include active duty personnel and those with previously qualifying active military service, as well as Reservists, National Guard and Coast Guard personnel who meet minimum enlistment requirements, according to Reiss.

The Veterans Affairs financing, coupled with assistance from their sales agents, loan officer and real estate-agent, helped make the home buying process a positive one for the Sweets.

"We were ready for a new home with more space for us and we found all of the right opportunities with Pardee," Kevin Sweet said.

Pardee Homes has developed several master-planned communities, including Spring Valley, Rancho Las Palmas, Eldorado and Nevada Trails.

Pardee Homes has several active neighborhoods in the Las Vegas Valley. For more information, visit pardeehomes.com.