VA Loans
The best mortgage out there for active duty service members, veterans, and surviving spouses. Take advantage of one of your best VA benefits and purchase a home with 0% down.
What Are VA Loans
VA loans are mortgage loans guaranteed by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, designed specifically for veterans, active-duty service members, and eligible surviving spouses. Unlike conventional loans, VA loans offer borrowers the opportunity to purchase a home with no down payment, no private mortgage insurance, competitive interest rates, and more flexible credit requirements. These benefits make homeownership more accessible to those who have served our country. The VA doesn’t lend money directly but provides a guarantee to lenders, allowing them to offer more favorable terms to qualified veterans and military personnel.
Widely considered one of the most valuable benefits earned through military service, VA loans have helped millions of veterans and service members achieve the dream of homeownership since the program’s creation in 1944. This powerful financial tool removes many of the traditional barriers to homebuying that might otherwise prevent military families from building wealth through real estate. The absence of down payment requirements alone can save eligible borrowers tens of thousands of dollars compared to conventional or FHA loans.
What makes VA loans truly exceptional is that they’re not a one-time benefit—eligible veterans and service members can use their VA loan entitlement multiple times throughout their lives, as long as previous loans are paid off or, in some cases, even while maintaining an existing VA loan. This lifetime benefit represents our nation’s ongoing commitment to supporting those who have defended our freedom and serves as a tangible way to honor their sacrifice long after their service has ended.
What Do You Need To Qualify for an FHA Loan?
- No down payment needed (0% down)
- Minimum 500 credit score or higher
- Certificate of eligibility: An official document from the VA that verifies your eligibility
- No max debt-to-income ratio requirement.
- Property Usage: primary residence
- Eligible Property types: single family, townhomes, condos, and multi-family (2 to 4 units)
- No mortgage insurance
Who Are VA Loans for?
VA loans honor the service of military personnel across different eras. You may qualify if you belong to one of these service categories:
- World War II, Korean War, or Vietnam War Veterans: At least 90 days of active service during these wartime periods
- Persian Gulf War Veterans (August 2, 1990 to present): Minimum of 90 days of active service
- Peacetime Veterans: At least 181 continuous days of active service
- Post-9/11 Service Members: 90 days of active service during this wartime period
- National Guard/Reserve Members: Completed 6 years of service with an honorable discharge or at least 90 days of active service under Title 10 or Title 32
- Current Active-Duty Personnel: Served at least 90 continuous days
- Surviving Spouses: Unremarried spouses of veterans who died in service or from service-connected disabilities
Different service periods may have specific requirements, but our team at MacLagan Home Loans is experienced in navigating these details to help you access the home buying benefits you’ve earned.
The FHA Loan Process and How To Get Started
Accessing your hard earned VA loan benefits with MacLagan Home Loans is a seamless experience designed to honor your service. Our streamlined process makes it easy to get started on your VA loan with zero down payment and competitive interest rates. We begin with a personalized consultation to understand your homeownership goals, then guide you through each step of the VA loan process with the same dedication you showed our country.
To get started on your VA loan:
- Take our quick online VA benefit assessment
- Submit your DD-214 or active duty documentation
- Let our VA loan experts help obtain your Certificate of Eligibility
- Complete our secure digital application process
- Receive your VA loan pre-approval with clear purchasing power
- Shop for homes with confidence knowing exactly what you can afford
- Close on your new home with reduced closing costs and our expert support
Why a VA Loan?
VA loans eliminate two major expenses of homebuying: down payments and mortgage insurance. Qualified veterans and service members can purchase with zero down payment instead of the 3.5-20% required by other loan types.
The absence of monthly mortgage insurance premiums can save hundreds of dollars every month compared to FHA or conventional loans with less than 20% down. These combined savings make VA loans one of the most affordable paths to homeownership.
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Loans we offer
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Conventional Loans
A popular mortgage option for borrower’s with strong credit and stable income. Down payments as low as 3% and with competitive and adjustable rate options.
Read moreBank Statement Loans
The best mortgage option for self-employed borrowers. If you take all of your write offs on your tax returns and can’t qualify for a conventional loan, this is the perfect mortgage option for you.
Read moreFHA Loans
A great mortgage option for first-time home buyers or those with limited funds. They have flexible credit requirements and offer down payments as low as 3.5%.
Read moreJumbo Loans
A great mortgage option for borrower’s looking to finance a home that exceeds conventional loan limits. Down payments as low as 10%.
Read moreDSCR Loans
Rental property loans that require no income or employment verification. The best loan for real estate investors and landlords
Read moreFix & Flip Loans
The perfect loan option for real estate investors who are looking to finance a property that needs renovation. Finance 100% of the renovation with down payments as low as 10% of the purchase price.
Read moreVA Loans FAQ
What is the most you can borrow on a VA loan?
VA loans don’t have a maximum loan amount, but there are county-specific loan limits that determine how much you can borrow without making a down payment. In most counties, this limit is $806,500 in 2025, but can exceed $1 million in high-cost areas. Veterans with full entitlement aren’t subject to these limits.
What is the VA funding fee?
The VA funding fee is a percentage-based fee paid to the Department of Veterans Affairs for all VA loans. First-time users with no down payment typically pay 2.3%, while subsequent users pay 3.6%. The fee can be reduced by making a down payment. Veterans with service-connected disabilities and surviving spouses of veterans who died in service are exempt.
Can I get a VA loan if my father was a veteran?
VA loans are not transferable to children or other family members. These benefits are specifically for those who served in the armed forces and their surviving spouses under certain conditions. While your father’s service to our country is commendable, his VA loan eligibility doesn’t extend to you unless you’ve served in the military yourself.
Do VA loans require a down payment?
No, one of the biggest advantages of VA loans is that they don’t require a down payment for eligible veterans with full entitlement. You can finance 100% of the purchase price up to conforming loan limits (and beyond with full entitlement), making it one of the few true zero-down mortgage options available today.
What is the downside of a VA loan?
VA loans have few downsides, but considerations include: the funding fee that adds to your loan amount, stricter property condition requirements that may limit some buying options, and occasional seller misconceptions about VA financing that can affect offer acceptance in highly competitive situations..