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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.
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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. Eligibility is confirmed through a Certificate of Eligibility (COE).
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.
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 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 which Access Financial pulls from the VA system at no charge.
| Service Category | Minimum Requirement |
|---|---|
| Wartime Veteran | 90 days active duty |
| Peacetime Veteran | 181 days continuous active duty |
| Active Duty Service Member | 90 days current continuous service |
| National Guard or Reserve | 6 years OR 90 days active Title 10 orders |
| Surviving Spouse | Veteran died in service or from a service-connected disability |
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.
| Purchase Scenario | First Use | Subsequent Use |
|---|---|---|
| 0% Down | 2.15% | 3.3% |
| 5% to 9% Down | 1.5% | 1.5% |
| 10% or More Down | 1.25% | 1.25% |
| Disabled Veteran — Any % | Waived | Waived |
| Surviving Spouse | Waived | Waived |
The Financial Case for Using Your VA Benefit Instead of Conventional
A veteran purchasing a $400,000 home with a VA loan vs a conventional loan with 5% down saves approximately $7,200 per year in PMI alone — $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.
| VA Loan Advantage | Value |
|---|---|
| $216,000 | Estimated 30-year PMI savings for a VA borrower versus a conventional buyer on a $400,000 home purchase |
| 400,000+ | VA purchase loans guaranteed in FY2023 |
| 30 Days | Access Financial average VA purchase closing timeline on clean loan files |
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. Veterans can also hold two VA loans simultaneously 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.
Not if your loan officer identifies MPR issues before you make the offer. VA appraisals evaluate both market value and Minimum Property Requirements — covering safety, structural soundness, and sanitary conditions. Access Financial reviews the property listing and photos before you go under contract and flags the most common MPR issues — missing handrails, peeling pre-1978 paint, roof near end of life — before they become closing-day surprises.
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 —
VA Loan Questions Answered Directly
No. Eligible veterans with full entitlement can purchase any home with $0 down — regardless of the purchase price. The VA eliminated hard loan limits for veterans with full entitlement in 2020. You can borrow any amount a lender approves with no government-imposed cap and no down payment required. The practical limit is set by your income and the property value. With partial entitlement, a calculated down payment may apply. Access Financial calculates your exact entitlement situation as part of the free pre-approval.
The VA itself sets no minimum credit score. Most VA lenders set their overlay at 580 to 620. Access Financial has VA lenders at 580. VA loans are specifically designed to be accessible for veterans who may have financial challenges. Access Financial works with VA lenders whose overlays stay at 580 — making VA financing possible for veterans other lenders turn away. A higher credit score still produces a lower rate. We provide a free credit review identifying any quick improvements that could move your score before application.
Yes. VA loans cover 1 to 4 unit properties when you occupy one unit as your primary residence. A veteran can purchase a duplex, triplex, or fourplex with VA financing at $0 down — living in one unit and renting the others. The rental income from the other units can offset most or all of the mortgage payment. This is one of the most powerful wealth-building strategies available to VA-eligible buyers. Access Financial structures VA multi-family purchases regularly for active-duty buyers and veterans.