VA Home Loans

One of the many benefits servicemembers may be entitled to is a home loan guaranty. These loans, guaranteed by the VA, are provided by private lenders. The VA guarantees a portion of your loan against loss which can help lenders provide you with more favorable financing terms.

VA home loans can help servicemen and women obtain lower interest rates and closing costs, eliminate the need for a down payment or mortgage insurance, and remove penalty payments if you pay off your VA home loan early.

Additionally, the home loan guaranty benefits can help those who want to purchase or build a home, refinance a current home loan, improve a home, and more.

Who is Eligible for VA Home Loan Guaranty?

In order to be eligible for a VA-guaranteed loan, servicemen and women must meet certain service requirements and income standards and have a valid Certificate of Eligibility. The service requirements vary; for example, Vietnam veterans must have served on active duty for at least 90 days between August 1964 and May 1975.

National Guard and reserve members may also be eligible for these loans if they served for six years, were discharged honorably, placed on the retired service list or meet other standards imposed by the VA. Furthermore, surviving spouses may also be eligible for a VA-guaranteed home loan.

The VA offers three home loan guaranty programs, a purchase loan, a streamline refinance loan and a cash-out refinance loan. The VA does not set a cap on how much may be borrowed, but there are limits on the amount of liability the VA can assume.

For more information on VA home loans and housing grants visit Home Loans on the VA’s website.