VA Home Loans
Department of Veterans Affairs
The most powerful home loan in America. Zero down payment. No mortgage insurance. No loan limit. No prepayment penalty. If you served, this is your benefit — use it.
What Is a VA Loan?
The VA home loan is a mortgage benefit earned through military service. Like FHA, the VA doesn't lend the money — they guarantee part of the loan so banks offer better terms. But VA terms are significantly better than FHA: zero down, no monthly mortgage insurance, lower rates, and no loan limit.
VA loans work on VA foreclosures (called VA REO properties), HUD homes, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac properties, and any standard home sale. You can even use a VA loan on a fourplex — live in one unit and rent the other three.
Who Qualifies?
Step-by-Step: How to Use Your VA Loan
Get Your Certificate of Eligibility (COE)
Apply online at va.gov/housing-assistance/home-loans/how-to-request-coe/ or ask your lender to pull it. This confirms your service and entitlement amount. Takes minutes online.
Get Pre-Approved with a VA Lender
Not every lender does VA loans well. Use one that specializes in VA — they know the process. Shop at least 2-3 for rates. The VA doesn't set a minimum credit score, but most lenders want 620+.
Find Your Property on PodLuxe
Search for VA REO properties, HUD homes, or any government foreclosure. VA loans work on any property that meets VA Minimum Property Requirements — it doesn't have to be a VA-specific listing.
Make Your Offer
Work with your agent to submit an offer. Include your pre-approval letter. For VA REO properties, bids go through listings.vrmco.com. For other properties, standard offer process.
VA Appraisal
The VA sends its own appraiser. They check value and safety. If the appraised value comes in lower than your offer, you can renegotiate, pay the difference, or walk away. The VA protects you here.
Close with Zero Down
Your only cost at closing is closing costs (1-3% of loan amount). The VA allows the seller to pay ALL of your closing costs. If the seller agrees, your total out of pocket is $0. The VA Funding Fee (2.15% first use) can be rolled into the loan.
PodLuxe Pro Tips
VA is reusable. You can use your VA loan benefit multiple times. Sell one home and use it again. Or keep the first and buy a second with remaining entitlement.
Disabled veterans pay no funding fee. If you have a service-connected disability rating, the VA Funding Fee is waived entirely. That saves $4,300 on a $200K purchase.
VA + government foreclosure = maximum leverage. Buy a HUD home during the owner-occupant exclusive period using a VA loan with zero down. Have the seller pay closing costs. Total cash needed: potentially $0.
House hack with VA. Buy a duplex, triplex, or fourplex with zero down. Live in one unit, rent the others. The rental income helps qualify you for the loan and pays the mortgage.
Official info: va.gov/housing-assistance