VA Home Loan Benefit Basics

For Veterans seeking the dream of homeownership, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) offers a valuable resource: the VA home loan. VA-approved private lenders, including banks and mortgage companies, fund VA home loans with VA guaranteeing a portion of the loan. This backing allows lenders to provide eligible borrowers with terms unavailable to the public. VA home loans are available to most Veterans, active-duty Service members, National Guard and Reserve members, and certain surviving spouses, depending on service length and duty status. Contact your home loan lender to determine your eligibility by requesting a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) from VA.

One of the most significant advantages of a VA home loan is that VA typically does not require a down payment (unless the purchase price exceeds the property’s appraised value). Lenders may still require a down payment depending on your financial circumstances. Additionally, VA home loans offer:

• » No private mortgage insurance (PMI) premiums or mortgage insurance premiums (MIP).
• » No loan limit if the Veteran has full entitlement and the ability to meet the lender’s financial guidelines.
• » Potential to own more than one property at a time if the Veteran borrower has ample entitlement, financially qualifies, occupies the property, and follows all VA loan guidelines.
• » VA does not require a minimum credit score, though lenders may set a credit score limit.
• » Competitively low interest rates compared to other loan programs.
• » No VA funding fee for eligible service-connected disabled Veterans and surviving spouses.

The VA home loan encompasses different loan options tailored to Veterans’ diverse needs, providing them with the necessary support for their housing goals.

The VA home loan is a lifetime benefit, meaning you can utilize the loan guarantee multiple times to provide flexibility for future homeownership opportunities.

• » A Purchase Loan allows Veteran and military homebuyers to finance their new property with favorable terms and conditions.
• » A Cash-Out Refinance Loan enables Veterans to convert the equity in their home into cash for various purposes, such as home improvements or debt consolidation.
• » The Interest Rate Reduction Refinancing Loan (IRRRL), also known as the VA streamline refinance loan, enables qualified borrowers to refinance their existing VA home loan into a new loan to take advantage of market reductions in interest rates. This streamlined process typically requires minimal documentation, making it a convenient option for those looking to reduce their monthly mortgage payments.

VA home loans offer Veterans, active-duty Service members, National Guard and Reserve members, and certain surviving spouses a range of benefits and opportunities that can significantly improve the path to homeownership. Take advantage of this lifetime benefit and turn your dream of owning a home into reality with a VA home loan.