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VA Loans
$0 Down, No PMI, and a Loan Officer Who Has Done This 100 Times.
We are VA-certified specialists. We pull your COE free, handle PCS timelines, and close in 30 days.
INTRODUCTION
What is a VA loan and who qualifies?
A VA loan is a mortgage benefit for eligible US veterans, active duty service members, National Guard members, reservists, and surviving spouses. It is guaranteed by the Department of Veterans Affairs. VA loans require $0 down payment, charge no PMI at any LTV, and offer rates typically 0.25 to 0.5% below conventional loans for the same borrower. These are some of the core benefits of VA mortgage loan programs. Eligibility is confirmed through a Certificate of Eligibility (COE), and a quick call to a VA loan specialist can tell you where you stand before you apply.
The biggest myth in homeownership is that you need 20% down. The second biggest myth is that a lower credit score disqualifies you. The FHA loan was specifically created to prove both wrong.
The Federal Housing Administration has insured home loans since 1934. In 2023 alone, FHA insured over 765,000 purchase loans. Most went to first-time buyers who could not qualify for conventional financing. The program exists precisely for you, and understanding FHA loan vs VA loan differences upfront helps you pick the right one from the start.
VA LOAN ELIGIBILITY
Everything You Need to Qualify
Who is eligible for a VA loan in 2026?
VA loan eligibility covers: veterans with honorable discharge, active duty service members after 90 days of continuous service during wartime or 181 days during peacetime, National Guard and Reserve members after 6 years of service or 90 days active duty under Title 32, and surviving spouses of veterans who died in service or from a service-connected disability. Eligibility is confirmed through a Certificate of Eligibility, and your statement of service VA loan documentation (for those who haven’t yet separated) works the same way for active duty applicants. Access Financial pulls this from the VA system at no charge.
| Applicant Category | Eligibility |
|---|---|
| Veteran | Eligible for VA home loan benefits. |
| Active Duty Service Member | May qualify for VA mortgage programs. |
| National Guard or Reserve | Eligible based on qualifying service. |
| Surviving Spouse | May qualify for VA home loan benefits. |
THE VA FUNDING FEE
What is the VA funding fee and can it be waived?
The VA funding fee sustains the VA loan program in place of monthly mortgage insurance. It ranges from 1.25% to 3.3% of the loan amount depending on loan type and down payment. The fee can be financed into the loan. It is completely waived for veterans with any service-connected disability rating of any percentage, even a pending claim. Access Financial confirms your waiver status from VA records before closing, along with a full breakdown of your VA loan closing costs so nothing catches you off guard at the table.
| Purchase Scenario | Benefit |
|---|---|
| First-Time Home Purchase | Access to flexible financing options. |
| Repeat Home Purchase | Continued eligibility for VA loan benefits. |
| Higher Down Payment | Enhanced long-term mortgage value. |
| Disabled Veteran | Special mortgage benefits available. |
| Surviving Spouse | Eligible for dedicated VA loan benefits. |
The Financial Case for Using Your VA Benefit Instead of Conventional
A veteran purchasing a $400,000 home with a VA home loan versus a conventional loan with 5% down saves approximately $7,200 per year in PMI alone, or $216,000 over 30 years. When the rate advantage of 0.25 to 0.5% is added, the total financial advantage of the VA loan over conventional typically exceeds $250,000 over the life of the loan for the same purchase. In FY2023, VA purchase loans averaged $346,000 with $0 required from the veteran as a down payment.
THE 3 QUESTIONS VA BUYERS ASK MOST
Yes. VA entitlement restores after the original VA loan is paid off and the property is sold. You can use the VA loan benefit as many times as you want throughout your life. This is often called having a 2nd VA loan or holding 2 VA loans at once, and veterans can do exactly that using bonus entitlement, keeping an existing VA-financed property as a rental while purchasing a new primary residence with a second VA loan at the new duty station.
A VA loan appraisal is stricter than a conventional appraisal because it also checks Minimum Property Requirements for safety and livability, not just value. Most issues found (peeling paint, broken handrails, missing smoke detectors) are minor repairs a seller completes before closing rather than deal breakers, and your VA-certified loan officer flags likely issues before you’re under contract.
Sellers care about close certainty, not loan type. A VA pre-approval from a VA specialist closes as reliably as conventional. Access Financial provides every VA buyer with a seller FAQ explaining that VA loans close in 30 days, appraisals are ordered immediately, and funding is guaranteed. VA offers from our buyers win competitive deals every day.
Why Your Lender Choice Matters More Than You Think
Conventional loans represent approximately 70% of all US mortgage originations, according to the Urban Institute Housing Finance Policy Center 2024 report. The average conventional borrower has a credit score of 755 and a down payment of 19%. Yet CFPB research shows that borrowers who received only one rate quote paid an above-market rate on over 30% of transactions. A single additional lender comparison saved the average borrower $1,500 over the loan life. Getting five quotes saved $3,000 or more.
Of all US mortgages are conventional loans
30-year cost of accepting a 0.25% above-market rate on a $400,000 loan
Savings from getting 5 rate quotes vs 1 —