Finances

Homebuying

Purchasing a home is one of the biggest financial decisions you’ll make during your life. Veterans and military members face unique circumstances when buying a home.

Getting Started

One of the first steps in the homebuying process is determining just how much house you can afford.

Our friends at the National Foundation for Credit Counseling offer a special calculator to help you determine how much you can spend without negatively affecting your financial future. They also provide confidential homeownership counseling to help you feel more confident in your homebuying decisions.

Is a VA Home Loan Right for You?

The VA loan program helps veterans, service members, and their families become homeowners through a government-backed mortgage loan that typically requires no down payment and may also avoid other fees and charges. Eligible veterans can get a VA home loan at any age and can reuse the benefit multiple times. Are you an eligible veteran? Find out here.

Watch this video for an overview of VA home loans.

Choosing a VA Loan Lender

As with any important decision, you’ll want to do your homework first. If you have friends or family members who have used their VA loan benefit, you can ask for their experiences, both good and bad.

You can also research ratings and recommendations online, like this guide from U.S. News & World Report that’s updated regularly and rates the best VA loan lenders by category, such as “best for low interest” and “best for bad credit.”

Find Resources

National Foundation for Credit Counseling

Whether you choose to use a VA loan or a conventional loan to purchase a home, a wealth of resources is available to help you as you make this important decision, and to support you as a homeowner after your purchase. The National Foundation for Credit Counseling provides a library of homeownership resources.

Learn More

VA Home Loans

The Department of Veterans Affairs offers more information on VA home loans for service members, veterans, and eligible surviving spouses. Learn more about the different types of loans, your eligibility, and how to apply.

Get Started