VA Loans

Your benefits, used the way they're supposed to be.

VA loans are the best deal in mortgages — when they're done correctly. Most lenders fumble them. Let's not. For active duty, veterans, National Guard/Reserves, and surviving spouses.

Why VA loans are special

The benefits, plainly.

You earned this. It's a real benefit — not a marketing pitch. Here's what makes VA loans different from anything else on the market:

Zero down payment.
Not low — zero. You don't need to save for years to buy a home. (Some lenders will still try to talk you into putting money down. Usually don't.)
No PMI. Ever.
Private mortgage insurance can add $150-$300/month to a payment. VA loans don't have it. Period. Huge long-term savings.
Better rates than conventional.
VA loans typically get 0.25%-0.5% better rates than equivalent conventional loans. On a $400K loan, that's real money.
Reusable. For life.
Once you've paid off a VA loan (or sold the home), you get your full entitlement back. Use it again. And again.

Eligibility

Who qualifies.

If any of these apply, you're likely eligible. I'll help you get your Certificate of Eligibility (COE) as part of the process — don't worry about that piece up front.

01

Active Duty

90+ days of continuous service during wartime, or 181+ days during peacetime.

02

Veterans

Met minimum service requirements + honorable discharge (or qualifying conditions).

03

National Guard / Reserves

6+ years of service, or 90+ days of active duty during wartime.

04

Surviving Spouses

Spouses of service members who died in the line of duty or from a service-related disability.


What goes wrong

How most lenders screw this up.

Not every lender knows VA. When they don't, here's what they get wrong:

Treating it like a conventional loan.
Charging origination fees and points that VA doesn't allow. Costs you thousands you shouldn't be paying.
Pushing you toward conventional.
Some lenders make less money on VA loans, so they steer you elsewhere. Watch out for "you'd be better off with conventional" without a real reason.
Misunderstanding the funding fee.
VA has a one-time funding fee (2.15-3.3% of the loan typically). It can be waived for disabled veterans. Many lenders don't even check.
Botching the appraisal process.
VA appraisals have specific requirements. A lender who's not VA-experienced will miss things and lose your deal.

VA loan types

Four programs to know.

01

VA Purchase

Buy a primary home with zero down. Single-family, condo, or multi-unit (up to 4 units if you live in one).

02

VA IRRRL

Interest Rate Reduction Refi. Easiest refi in the industry — no appraisal usually, minimal paperwork, fast close.

03

VA Cash-Out

Tap your equity. Up to 100% LTV in some cases — more than conventional cash-out allows.

04

VA Jumbo

For loan amounts above the county VA limit. Still gets VA's benefits, with some down payment usually required above the limit.

VA loan FAQ

What veterans ask.

Do I qualify?

Probably yes, if you served. The exact requirements depend on when and how you served, but the bar is reasonable. Send me a quick message about your service history and I'll tell you within 24 hours.

How much funding fee will I pay?

Typically 2.15% on your first VA loan, 3.3% on subsequent uses. Disabled veterans (10%+ disability rating) are exempt from the funding fee entirely. The fee can also be rolled into the loan, so you don't pay it out of pocket.

Can I use my VA loan more than once?

Yes. Once you pay off the loan (or sell the home) your full entitlement comes back. You can also have multiple active VA loans at once in some situations — I'll explain how if it applies to your situation.

What's the max VA loan amount?

Technically there's no max — VA-eligible borrowers with full entitlement can borrow as much as a lender will approve. There are county loan limits that affect when down payment kicks in for jumbo amounts, but most veterans never hit those.

Why isn't every veteran using a VA loan?

A mix of reasons — some don't know they qualify, some get steered to conventional by uninformed lenders, some are misinformed about the funding fee. If you served and you're buying or refinancing, VA almost always wins the math. Let's check yours.

You served. Use the benefit.

30 minutes on the phone. I'll walk you through your eligibility, the loan options, and whether VA is actually the right move for you.