Loan Programs · VA Loan
Home Loans for Military Families
Home loans backed by the VA for active-duty service members, veterans, and some spouses, with no monthly mortgage insurance.
Written by the East Coast Mortgage team
A VA loan is a mortgage backed by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, built specifically for those who've served. The two biggest advantages: VA loans may not require a down payment for eligible veterans and service members, and there's no monthly private mortgage insurance (PMI), which most conventional loans with a smaller down payment require. The VA sets the program rules; see its guidelines in the sources below.
Eligibility generally comes down to your length and type of service. Active-duty service members, veterans, National Guard and Reserve members, and some surviving spouses may qualify. You'll need a Certificate of Eligibility (COE), which we can help you pull.
VA loans do have their own guidelines around credit, income, and the property itself (it has to meet certain safety and livability standards), and there's typically a one-time VA funding fee, though it's often waived for veterans with a service-connected disability.
Curious what a va loan would actually cost you? Run the numbers, no commitment. Or see why shopping it through a broker beats walking into one bank.
Still deciding between programs?
General information, not a commitment to lend. Rates, terms, and eligibility vary by lender and are subject to underwriting guidelines. Equal Housing Lender, NMLS #2354674.
How VA compares
Side by side with the other programs most buyers choose between.
| Compare | VA | FHA | Conventional | USDA |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Down payment | May not be required for eligible borrowers | Designed for smaller down payments | Varies by program, some allow smaller down payments | May not be required in eligible areas |
| Monthly mortgage insurance | None | Yes (MIP) | Until you build enough equity (PMI) | Annual guarantee fee, lower than PMI |
| Credit flexibility | Flexible | Most flexible | Solid credit gets the best terms | Flexible |
| Where the home can be | Anywhere | Anywhere | Anywhere | Eligible rural and suburban areas |
| Built for | Veterans, active duty, some spouses | First-time buyers, lower scores | Buyers with good credit and some savings | Buyers outside big city limits |
General program guidelines only. Your actual terms depend on the lender, your credit, and the property. Not a commitment to lend.
Common questions
Do I have to be currently serving to qualify?
No. Veterans, active-duty service members, National Guard and Reserve members, and some surviving spouses can all be eligible, depending on length and type of service.
Do VA loans require a down payment?
VA loans may not require a down payment for eligible veterans and service members. Whether one applies to you depends on your entitlement and the loan amount, which is something we'd walk through together. The VA explains entitlement on its home loan pages, linked below.
Popular with everyday buyers
Other programs in the same lane. All 23 →
Sources
- VA: VA home loans
- VA: Eligibility for VA home loan programs
- VA: VA funding fee and closing costs
- VA: How to request a Certificate of Eligibility
General information, not advice for your specific situation. Program rules come from the agencies above and from each lender, and they change. A licensed loan officer confirms what applies to you.
Free guide · homebuyers
The Homebuyer's Playbook
From pre-approval to closing day, in plain English. Instant download, no cost.
Ready when you are
Think VA might be your fit?
A real, licensed loan officer checks it against your actual situation and every lender that offers it. No obligation, no credit pull to start.
NMLS #2354674 · Equal Housing Opportunity · Not a commitment to lend