VA Home Loan Guide for 2025

Your complete guide to buying a home using your VA loan benefit.

What Is a VA Home Loan?

The VA Home Loan is a mortgage program backed by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. It helps eligible veterans, service members, and some surviving spouses purchase a home with no down payment, no private mortgage insurance (PMI), and competitive interest rates.

VA Loan Benefits

  • No down payment required (in most cases)
  • No PMI (private mortgage insurance)
  • Competitive interest rates
  • Limited closing costs
  • No loan limits (as of 2020, if full entitlement)
  • Reusable benefit
  • Foreclosure avoidance assistance

Who’s Eligible for a VA Loan?

You may be eligible if you meet one or more of the following:
  • 90 consecutive days during wartime
  • 181 days during peacetime
  • 6 years in the National Guard or Reserves
  • Unremarried surviving spouse of a service member

You will also need a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) to apply.

How to Use a VA Loan

  1. Get your COE
  2. Get preapproved by a VA lender
  3. Find a move-in ready home
  4. Make an offer
  5. VA appraisal & underwriting
  6. Close and move in — no PMI or down payment!

Common Questions

Can I use a VA loan more than once?

Yes.
You can use your VA loan benefit multiple times as long as you still have remaining entitlement. If you’ve paid off your previous VA loan or sold the property, you can usually restore full entitlement and reuse the benefit.

Can I buy land or a fixer-upper?

Not with a standard VA loan.
VA loans are designed for move-in-ready homes that meet VA’s Minimum Property Requirements. You typically can’t use it to buy land alone or homes that need major repairs — unless you pair it with a VA construction or renovation loan (which are harder to find).

Can I use a VA loan for investment property?

No.
VA loans are intended for primary residences only. You must certify that you plan to live in the home as your primary residence, typically within 60 days of closing.

What credit score do I need?

There’s no official minimum set by the VA.
However, most VA-approved lenders require a credit score of at least 620. Some may go lower, but having a stronger credit profile will improve your interest rate and approval odds.

Can I refinance with a VA loan?

Yes — and it’s often easier than a traditional refinance.
You can use the VA IRRRL (Interest Rate Reduction Refinance Loan) to lower your rate or the VA Cash-Out Refinance to tap into your home equity. Both options come with streamlined processes and no PMI.

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