VA loans are a powerful home financing benefit exclusively for eligible veterans, active-duty service members, National Guard and Reserve members, and surviving spouses. With zero down payment, no private mortgage insurance, and competitive interest rates, VA loans are one of the most valuable benefits available to those who have served our country.
Available to qualified borrowers in · NMLS #1988963
VA loans are mortgage loans guaranteed by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and issued by private lenders. The VA guarantee protects the lender against loss if the borrower defaults, which allows lenders to offer favorable terms — including no down payment, no private mortgage insurance, competitive interest rates, and limited closing costs. VA loans have helped millions of service members, veterans, and military families achieve homeownership since the program was created in 1944 as part of the original GI Bill. Eligibility is based on service history, and the benefit can be used multiple times over a lifetime.
Qualified borrowers can finance 100% of the home purchase price with no down payment required — the most significant upfront savings of any major loan program.
Unlike conventional and FHA loans, VA loans never require monthly mortgage insurance, saving borrowers hundreds of dollars per month.
VA loans typically carry lower interest rates than conventional and FHA loans because the government guarantee reduces lender risk.
VA guidelines are more forgiving of past credit issues and higher debt-to-income ratios, with no minimum credit score requirement from the VA itself.
Active-duty service members who have served at least 90 consecutive days
Veterans who served the minimum required period and received an honorable discharge
National Guard and Reserve members with at least 6 years of service or 90 days of active duty
Surviving spouses of service members who died in the line of duty or from a service-connected disability
Valid Certificate of Eligibility (COE) from the VA — we can help you obtain this
Property must be your primary residence and meet VA minimum property requirements
No maximum loan limit for qualified borrowers with full entitlement
Requirements are general guidelines. Contact us for a personalized assessment of your qualifications for va loans in Alabama or Florida.
Eligible veterans and active-duty service members
National Guard and Reserve members with qualifying service
Surviving spouses of service members who died in service or from service-connected disabilities
Military families purchasing a primary residence anywhere in Alabama or Florida
Veterans looking to refinance through the VA Interest Rate Reduction Refinance Loan (IRRRL)
If you have eligible military service and are purchasing a primary residence, a VA loan is almost always your best financing option. The combination of zero down payment, no mortgage insurance, and below-market interest rates is unmatched by any other loan program. Even if you have funds for a down payment, using a VA loan and keeping that money invested or in savings often makes better financial sense. The VA loan benefit is reusable — you can use it multiple times, and surviving spouses may also qualify in certain circumstances.
VA loans are available in 15 and 30-year fixed-rate terms, as well as 5/1 adjustable-rate mortgages. VA interest rates are consistently among the lowest available across all loan types, typically 0.25% to 0.50% below comparable conventional rates. The VA also limits the closing costs lenders can charge veterans, and the seller can pay up to 4% of the purchase price toward the buyer’s closing costs. VA loans include a one-time VA funding fee, which can be rolled into the loan amount and is waived for veterans receiving VA disability compensation.
A Certificate of Eligibility is a document from the VA that confirms you meet the service requirements for a VA loan. You can obtain your COE online through the VA eBenefits portal, through your lender (we can help), or by mailing VA Form 26-1880. The process typically takes a few minutes online or up to several weeks by mail. We assist all our VA borrowers in obtaining their COE quickly and efficiently.
The VA funding fee is a one-time charge that helps offset the cost of the VA loan program to taxpayers. For first-time use with zero down, the fee is 2.15% of the loan amount for regular military and 2.40% for National Guard/Reserve members. The fee decreases with subsequent use and with larger down payments. The funding fee is waived entirely for veterans receiving VA disability compensation and for surviving spouses receiving Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC).
Yes, the VA loan benefit is a lifetime benefit that can be used multiple times. You can have more than one VA loan at a time in certain circumstances, and your entitlement can be restored after paying off a previous VA loan. There is no limit on how many times you can use the benefit, as long as you meet eligibility requirements and have sufficient remaining entitlement.
The VA itself does not set a minimum credit score requirement. However, individual VA-approved lenders set their own credit standards. Most lenders look for a credit score of at least 620, though some may accept scores as low as 580. The VA program emphasizes the overall lending picture — including residual income, employment stability, and payment history — rather than focusing solely on credit scores.
Other mortgage options that may fit your needs across Alabama and Florida
Licensed to help homebuyers and homeowners throughout Alabama and Florida with personalized mortgage solutions. Let us find the right va loans for your goals.
Available in · NMLS #1988963 · Equal Housing Lender