both · Philadelphia & Montgomery
The VA loan: what it actually offers
Zero down, no monthly mortgage insurance, competitive rates — and the funding fee, explained straight.
In this lesson
The headline benefitsThe funding fee, honestlyWho's eligibleCan I use a VA loan more than once?Is there a VA loan limit?The headline benefits
- 0% down payment on most purchases — no decade of saving first
- No monthly mortgage insurance, ever — the structural advantage over FHA and low-down conventional
- Competitive rates, because the VA guarantee reduces lender risk
- Limits on what fees veterans can be charged
- Assumability — a qualified buyer can take over your rate later, a quiet superpower in high-rate years
The funding fee, honestly
Most VA borrowers pay a one-time funding fee — for a first-use, zero-down purchase it runs a bit over 2% of the loan, and it can be financed into the mortgage rather than paid in cash. Veterans receiving service-connected disability compensation are typically exempt entirely, as are certain surviving spouses. Even with the fee, the no-monthly-insurance math usually beats FHA over any realistic hold period — run both before assuming.
Who's eligible
Eligibility comes from service history — minimum periods vary by era and duty type — and is proven by your Certificate of Eligibility (COE), which a VA-experienced lender can usually pull electronically in minutes. National Guard and Reserve service qualifies on its own timelines. If you're not sure you qualify, ask before assuming you don't; we've seen plenty of eligible veterans who thought otherwise.
Can I use a VA loan more than once?
Can I use a VA loan more than once?
Yes — entitlement is reusable and can even be split across two homes in some cases. Subsequent zero-down uses carry a higher funding fee unless you're exempt.
Is there a VA loan limit?
Is there a VA loan limit?
For veterans with full entitlement, no formal cap — lenders still qualify you on income and credit like any loan.
General education, not legal, tax or financial advice. Your contract and circumstances matter. Confirm current requirements with your lender, settlement professional or qualified adviser.