The VA Loan is arguably the best mortgage product available in the U.S. market.

  • Active-duty members can qualify after 90 days of service during qualifying periods; National Guard and Reserve members generally need 6 years of service.

  • The VA loan lets them buy at each duty station without waiting to save 5–20%.

  • When they transfer, they can sell and reuse the benefit. Some veterans even rent out prior homes (after living in them) and use a new VA loan at the next location

  • Funding Fee tables

    • The typical VA funding fee for a first-time borrower with no down payment is 2.15% of the loan amount. This fee changes based on down payment size and prior VA loan usage.

    • Higher down payments lower the required funding fee for both first-time and subsequent borrowers.

    • Down Payment First-Time Use Subsequent Use

      Less than 5% 2.15% 3.30%

      5% to 9.99% 1.50% 1.50%

      10% or more 1.25% 1.25%

      Refinances

      Cash-out refinances charge 2.15% for first-time use and 3.30% for repeat use. VA Interest Rate Reduction Refinance Loans (IRRRL) strictly charge a 0.50% fee for all borrowers.