VA loans0% down.You earned it.
VA loans are guaranteed by the Department of Veterans Affairs for veterans, active duty service members, National Guard and Reserve members, and eligible surviving spouses. No down payment, no monthly mortgage insurance, and rates that are often lower than conventional. We shop VA pricing across our lenders so the benefit you earned is not eaten by fees.
Who VA works best for.
A strong fit if
- You are a veteran, active duty, Guard or Reserve member, or an eligible surviving spouse
- You want to buy with little or nothing down
- You receive VA disability compensation, which waives the funding fee
- You want no monthly mortgage insurance
- You are buying above the conforming limit and have full entitlement
Compare options if
- You are buying a second home or investment property. VA requires you to live in the home
- You have 20% down and a 760+ score. Conventional may price close, with no funding fee
- Your entitlement is tied up in another VA loan. We can check how much is left
VA guidelines in plain numbers.
These are the program rules. Each lender can add its own on top, which is why we shop your file across several of them.
| Eligibility | Veterans, active duty service members, National Guard and Reserve members who meet service requirements, and eligible surviving spouses. You prove it with a Certificate of Eligibility, which we can request for you. |
|---|---|
| Down payment | 0% with full entitlement. Putting 5% or 10% down lowers the funding fee. |
| Credit score | VA sets no minimum. Most lenders look for 580 to 620+, which is why shopping lenders matters. |
| Funding fee | Purchase with under 5% down: 2.15% first use, 3.3% after. 5% down: 1.5%. 10% down: 1.25%. Usually added to the loan. Waived for veterans receiving or eligible for VA disability compensation, surviving spouses receiving DIC, and active duty Purple Heart recipients. |
| Loan limit | None with full entitlement. If part of your entitlement is in use, a limit applies to the remaining amount. |
| Debt to income | VA looks at a 41% guideline and at residual income, the money left each month after major expenses. |
| Seller help | Sellers can pay your normal closing costs, plus concessions of up to 4% of the home's value. |
| Occupancy and property | Primary residence, 1 to 4 units if you live in one. The VA appraisal checks minimum property requirements. |
See what a VA payment could look like.
No monthly mortgage insurance. Check the box if you have a VA disability rating to see the funding fee waived.
Why eligible buyers usually choose VA.
Both are government backed, but for eligible borrowers VA almost always costs less each month. We confirm with real pricing.
Apply once
One secure application, about 10 minutes.
We price both
VA and FHA across our lenders, side by side.
You pick with real numbers
Payment, cash to close and total cost, in plain terms.
VA or FHA?
| Feature | FHA | VA |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum down | 3.5% | 0% |
| Monthly insurance | About 0.55% a year | None |
| Upfront fee | 1.75% | 1.25% to 3.3%, waived with a disability rating |
| Loan limit | $1,249,125 in the DMV | None with full entitlement |
| Seller concessions | Up to 6% | Closing costs plus up to 4% |
Pair VA with assistance and bring less to closing.
State, county and DC programs can sit on top of a VA first mortgage. Each has its own income, price and homebuyer education rules, so we check eligibility before you write an offer.
Maryland Mortgage Program
1st Time Advantage pairs a first mortgage with deferred, 0% interest help: a flat $6,000 or 3% to 5% of the loan. In Prince George's County, Pathway to Purchase adds up to $50,000 for eligible buyers.
Check my eligibilityDC Home Purchase Assistance Program
For loans closing after July 1, 2026, HPAP offers up to $202,000 toward the purchase plus up to $4,000 for closing costs, based on income and household size.
Ask about HPAPVA questions we hear every week.
Who is eligible for a VA loan?
Most veterans and active duty service members with enough time in service, National Guard and Reserve members who meet service requirements, and eligible surviving spouses. We can pull your Certificate of Eligibility as part of your application.
How much is the VA funding fee?
For a purchase with less than 5% down it is 2.15% the first time and 3.3% after that. With 5% down it drops to 1.5%, and with 10% down to 1.25%. Most buyers add it to the loan.
Who does not pay the funding fee?
Veterans receiving or eligible for VA disability compensation, surviving spouses receiving Dependency and Indemnity Compensation, service members with a proposed or memorandum rating before discharge, and active duty Purple Heart recipients.
Is there a VA loan limit?
Not if you have full entitlement. You can borrow what you qualify for with 0% down. If you have a VA loan already, we calculate your remaining entitlement.
Can I use a VA loan more than once?
Yes. Entitlement can be restored after you sell, and in some cases you can have two VA loans at once. The funding fee is higher for later uses unless you are exempt.
Can I refinance a VA loan later?
Yes. A VA Interest Rate Reduction Refinance (IRRRL) has a 0.5% funding fee and a simple process. VA also allows cash-out refinancing up to 100% of the home's value, though many lenders cap it at 90%.
Compare other options.
FHA Loans
3.5% down and flexible credit for buyers with a 580+ score.
ExploreConventionalConventional Loans
3% down for first-time buyers, and mortgage insurance that comes off at 20% equity.
ExploreRefinanceRefinance & Cash-Out
Lower your rate, drop FHA insurance, shorten your term or take cash out.
ExploreZero downUSDA Loans
No down payment financing for eligible homes in qualifying areas of Maryland and Virginia.
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