No — VA-backed purchase loans do not require a down payment, as long as the sales price does not exceed the appraised value of the home. This is one of the key advantages of the VA loan benefit.
Yes. BAH (Basic Allowance for Housing) is paid directly to you and is not restricted to any specific use. Many service members use their monthly BAH as part of their housing budget when calculating what they can afford. BAH is not taxable income.
No. VA-backed loans do not require private mortgage insurance. Conventional loans typically require PMI when the borrower puts less than 20% down — VA loans eliminate this requirement entirely.
The VA funding fee is a one-time fee paid to the VA that helps sustain the loan program. The fee varies based on your loan type, whether it’s your first VA loan, and your down payment. It can be financed into the loan. Some borrowers are exempt, including veterans receiving VA disability compensation, Purple Heart recipients on active duty, and qualifying surviving spouses.
Yes. The VA home loan is a lifetime benefit. You can use it multiple times as long as you have remaining entitlement. If you’ve paid off a previous VA loan (or sold the home and the loan was paid off), you can restore your full entitlement and use the benefit again.
Many service members choose to start the homebuying process before arriving at their new duty station. A VA-approved lender can pre-approve you remotely, and a local real estate agent who specializes in military moves can help you tour homes and submit offers from a distance. The VA occupancy requirement generally requires you to intend to occupy the home as your primary residence within 60 days of closing.
VA loan entitlement is the amount the VA guarantees to repay your lender if you default on the loan. With full entitlement, there is no loan limit — meaning you can borrow above the conforming loan limit with no down payment. Your Certificate of Eligibility (COE) shows how much entitlement you have available.
A VA appraisal is required for all VA purchase loans. It has two purposes: (1) to determine the fair market value of the home, and (2) to ensure the home meets the VA’s Minimum Property Requirements (MPRs) — basic standards for safety, sanitation, and structural soundness. A VA appraisal is not a home inspection. Buyers are encouraged to also hire a private home inspector for a more thorough evaluation.
Your 2026 BAH rate for the Fort Hood area depends on your pay grade and dependency status. Use the BAH Calculator on this site to look up your exact rate. Fort Hood falls in Military Housing Area TX286 (Killeen/Fort Hood), and 2026 rates are effective January 1, 2026.
No — the VA does not set a maximum income limit for VA loan eligibility. However, lenders do evaluate your income to ensure you can repay the loan. Lenders typically look at your debt-to-income (DTI) ratio as part of the qualification process.
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