Zero down payment, no PMI, competitive rates — the strongest first-time buyer program available for those who qualify.
Get started at U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs → Pre-qualify (where available) with a soft credit pull — no score impact.
ClearValue Rating: 4 / 5 — our editorial assessment (how we rate)
Editorial confidence (30%), cost (25%), value (25%), accessibility (20%) — scored consistently across every product, independent of compensation.
Active-duty service members, veterans, and surviving spouses looking for the lowest-cost path to homeownership.
VA Home Loan — Zero down payment, no PMI, competitive rates — the strongest first-time buyer program available for those who qualify. Best for: Active-duty service members, veterans, and surviving spouses looking for the lowest-cost path to homeownership.. Compare it against alternatives before applying; the right fit depends on your situation, credit, and goals.
Eligibility is established through a Certificate of Eligibility (COE), which you can request through the VA's eBenefits portal at benefits.va.gov, through a VA-approved lender, or by mail using VA Form 26-1880. The COE documents your qualifying service and the amount of your entitlement. Most lenders can pull your COE directly through VA systems when you apply.
The VA funding fee is a one-time fee paid to the VA that helps keep the loan program self-sustaining. The fee ranges from 1.25% to 3.30% of the loan amount depending on your down payment and whether it is your first or subsequent VA loan use. The fee can be financed into the loan rather than paid upfront. Veterans with a service-connected disability rating of 10% or higher are exempt from the funding fee.
The VA itself sets no minimum credit score. Individual lenders typically require a score in the 580–620 range due to their own lending guidelines, but requirements vary. Working with a VA-specialized lender may provide more flexibility on this point. Check current requirements directly with VA-approved lenders listed at benefits.va.gov.
No. VA home loans are for primary residences only. You must intend to live in the home as your principal place of residence. The benefit cannot be used to finance investment properties, second homes, or vacation homes. Full program rules are available at benefits.va.gov/homeloans.
How we rate
Every pick gets a 1–5 ClearValue Rating computed from four weighted factors: Editorial confidence (30%), Cost (25%), Value (25%), and Accessibility (20%).
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