VA home loans

Maximize your VA benefits

Save more with 0% down options, easier refinancing, and favorable rates.
Start my preapproval See if I qualify
Collage showing an active-duty service member opening a door, a veteran with their dog, and a couple identified as spouses and family, each labeled on a dark blue background.Collage showing an active-duty service member opening a door, a veteran with their dog, and a couple identified as spouses and family, each labeled on a dark blue background.

VA loan options with built-in benefits

Purchase

Eligible buyers could save big

Zero down payment

VA loans may allow financing up to 100% of the purchase price, 0% down.

Access lower rates

Access to rates that are often lower than other types of loans.

No mortgage insurance

You could save more each month by not paying PMI (Private Mortgage Insurance).

Get my preapproval
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The guidelines for buying a home with a VA loan

If your details are close to these guidelines, we encourage you to apply or talk to us so we can look for all the ways you can qualify.

Service

Requirements start at 90 continuous days. No matter when you served, we can help you know if you or your spouse’s service qualifies.

Check eligibility

Credit

Your credit can be as low as 580 to qualify for a VA loan to buy a home. If it’s somewhat lower talk to us, we have ways to help.

About credit

Debt & income

Less than half of your income going to pay debt is a good start. How much income you have left after paying bills matters too.

About debt-to-income

Closing costs

Although a down payment isn’t required, you’ll still need money for closing costs, usually 3-6% of the loan amount.

About closing costs

The benefits of a VA loan

0% down payment options

That means you need less money upfront to buy a home with a VA loan.

Lower rates

We always work to get you the lowest rate. VA loans tend to have lower rates than other loans so you can save even more.

No PMI

VA loans don’t require private mortgage insurance, which lowers your monthly mortgage payment.

Start my approval
A Hispanic man wearing work boots, brown pants and a tan t-shirt smiles proudly while sitting on the front steps of a stone porch, with a lighted picture window in the background.

More for you to explore

BAH calculator

Affordability calculator

Mortgage calculator

 Refinance

The benefits of a VA refi

More cash-out flexibility

Access up to 100% of your equity with a VA loan, vs about 80% with conventional.

Lower rates & monthly payments

Have a VA loan and want to upgrade your terms? You could benefit from an Interest Rate Reduction Refinance Loan (IRRRL). 1

No appraisal needed

Some VA refis don’t require appraisals, and you could roll closing costs in the loan.
Apply online in minutes
Man and woman relaxing on leather chairs in a living room, smiling at each other, with a brown dog standing nearby.

The guidelines for VA loan refinancing

If your details are close to these guidelines, we encourage you to apply or talk to us so we can look for all the ways you can qualify.

Service

Whether you have a VA loan now or want to explore refinancing to one, we can help you navigate VA service requirements.

Check eligibility

Credit

Your credit can be as low as 580 to refinance to or from a VA loan. If it’s somewhat lower talk to us, we have ways to help.

About credit

Debt & income

Ideally less than 45% of your income should be going to pay debt.

About debt-to-income

Closing costs

You’ll pay around 3-6% of the amount you’re financing for closing costs, often rolled into the loan.

About closing costs

The benefits of a VA loan

Access more of your home equity

A VA loan lets you access up to 100% of your home equity, compared to the typical 80% for a conventional loan.

Lower cash-out credit requirements

Refinance to take cash out with credit as low as 580 with a VA loan.

Additional refinance option

Already have a VA loan and want to lower or stabilize your monthly payment? You could benefit from an Interest Rate Reduction Refinance Loan (IRRRL).
Start my approval
A Hispanic man wearing work boots, brown pants and a tan t-shirt smiles proudly while sitting on the front steps of a stone porch, with a lighted picture window in the background.

Estimate and explore

VA loan rates

Check rates for a variety of VA loans and learn how rates work.

Home equity calculator

Discover how much cash you have in your home and ways you can access it.

Refinance calculator

See how much you can save each month by refinancing to a lower payment.

Eligible buyers could save big

Zero down payment

VA loans may allow financing up to 100% of the purchase price, 0% down.

Access lower rates

Access to rates that are often lower than other types of loans.

No mortgage insurance

You could save more each month by not paying PMI (Private Mortgage Insurance).

Get my preapproval
Man and woman relaxing on leather chairs in a living room, smiling at each other, with a brown dog standing nearby.

The guidelines for buying a home with a VA loan

If your details are close to these guidelines, we encourage you to apply or talk to us so we can look for all the ways you can qualify.

Service

Requirements start at 90 continuous days. No matter when you served, we can help you know if you or your spouse’s service qualifies.

Check eligibility

Credit

Your credit can be as low as 580 to qualify for a VA loan to buy a home. If it’s somewhat lower talk to us, we have ways to help.

About credit

Debt & income

Less than half of your income going to pay debt is a good start. How much income you have left after paying bills matters too.

About debt-to-income

Closing costs

Although a down payment isn’t required, you’ll still need money for closing costs, usually 3-6% of the loan amount.

About closing costs

The benefits of a VA loan

0% down payment options

That means you need less money upfront to buy a home with a VA loan.

Lower rates

We always work to get you the lowest rate. VA loans tend to have lower rates than other loans so you can save even more.

No PMI

VA loans don’t require private mortgage insurance, which lowers your monthly mortgage payment.

Start my approval
A Hispanic man wearing work boots, brown pants and a tan t-shirt smiles proudly while sitting on the front steps of a stone porch, with a lighted picture window in the background.

More for you to explore

BAH calculator

Affordability calculator

Mortgage calculator

We're serving those who've served us

Meet Robert, who didn’t think his service qualified for a VA loan. Turns out it did, and it opened the door to the home he wanted.
See what I qualify for

Get more in-depth details

Articles that give you more information about this loan and explain how mortgages work.

An inviting porch with a brown wood floor, white railings, two white chairs and fall floral arrangements.

6-minute read

VA loan down payment requirements

Two young parents in jeans lounge on a gray couch while watching their two children drawing together on the floor.

4-minute read

How many times can you use a VA loan?

Front view of similar brick houses with red and blue door.

9-minute read

VA streamline refinance (VA IRRRL): What is it and how does it work?

 An inviting porch with a brown wood floor, white railings, two white chairs and fall floral arrangements.

6-minute read

VA loan down payment requirements

Two young parents in jeans lounge on a gray couch while watching their two children drawing together on the floor.

4-minute read

How many times can you use a VA loan?

Front view of similar brick houses with red and blue door.

9-minute read

VA streamline refinance (VA IRRRL): What is it and how does it work?

Frequently asked questions

Answers to questions about this loan we heard from people like you during research.

How is a VA loan different from other home loans?

The main thing that sets VA loans apart is they’re only available to eligible service members, veterans and surviving spouses. That’s because they’re backed by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Here are some other ways VA loans are different.

  • You need a Certificate of Eligibility from the VA to show lenders you qualify for a VA loan.
  • In most cases, you won’t need a down payment to buy a home. Don’t forget you’ll still need funds for closing costs.
  • You won’t pay private mortgage insurance on a VA loan. Instead, you may have to pay the VA Funding Fee.

These articles will help you learn more about how VA loans compare to other home loans.

FHA vs. VA loans: what's the difference, and which one is best for you?
VA loan vs. conventional loan: What's the difference?

 Who’s eligible for a VA loan?

If you meet the minimum active-duty service requirements based on when and where you served, you could be eligible for a Certificate of Eligibility (COE). That’s the document that shows lenders you qualify for a VA loan.

Surviving spouses of a veteran may also be eligible for a COE.

We can help you know if you're eligible, or you can check on the VA website.

 What kind of home can I buy with a VA loan?

A VA loan is meant to be used to buy a home that will be your primary residence. This includes a one-unit manufactured home. Otherwise, you can buy property with up to four units as long as you live in one of the units and it’s your primary residence.

If you’re interested in a second home, vacation home or investment property, we recommend chatting with one of our experts to see what’s possible.

 What should I know about refinancing and VA loans?

VA loans don’t just come with benefits for home buyers. Eligible homeowners can benefit too, whether you have a VA loan now or refinance to one.

Use more of your home equity. Equity is the difference between the value of your home and what you owe on it. With a conventional loan, you typically can only access up to 80% of your home equity. A VA loan can allow you access 100%.

Take cash out with lower credit than other loans. Your credit can be as low as 580 to take cash out, compared to 620 for other loan types.

 What’s a VA streamline refinance for?

The interest rate reduction refinance loan (IRRRL), also called a VA streamline refinance, is for people in the following situation:

  • Already have a VA loan
  • Want a lower interest rate to get a lower monthly mortgage payment
  • Or want to change from an adjustable-rate mortgage to a fixed mortgage

It’s called “streamline” because you typically don’t need an appraisal and there’s often less paperwork compared to just refinancing. Your credit can be as low as 580 to refinance using the IRRRL.

Unfortunately, you can’t take cash out with a VA streamline refinance. Whatever your goal, if you’re exploring refinancing we’ll help you know all your options and most importantly, if refinancing is right for you.

 Get VA loan tips

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Rocket Mortgage is a VA-approved lender, not endorsed or sponsored by the Dept. of Veterans Affairs or any government agency.

Refinancing may cause finance charges to be higher over the life of the loan.

1 The VA Streamline program may have stricter requirements in some states. In order to qualify for the VA Streamline program, you must have a VA loan. The VA Streamline is only available on primary residences. Cash-out transactions are not allowed. In order to qualify for a VA Streamline, a 0.5% minimum reduction in interest rate on the previous fixed-rate loan must occur if the new loan will be a fixed rate or a 2% minimum reduction in interest rate on previous adjustable rate mortgage loan must occur; a minimum of 6 months of consecutive mortgage payments must be paid on the current loan at the time of application. Some states may require an appraisal. Additional restrictions/conditions may apply.