Benefits of a VA loan
- No Mortgage Insurance, though there is a financed funding fee.
- No Down Payment
- Mortgage can be taken over (or “assumed”) by the buyer when a home is sold.
- Counseling and assistance available to veteran borrowers having financial difficulty or facing default on their loan.
Are you eligible? Time to confirm!
A very simple eligibility answer for veteran eligibility is yes, if you served 90 days or more in ACTIVE COMBAT or you served SIX YEARS OR MORE IN THE RESERVES. If you served in the reserves, YOU MUST HAVE ATTENDED ALL TRANING (or had an excused absence) in order to get credit for the years of service.
The best resource for a guide on obtaining YOUR correct documentation is the VA website for GUIDELINES ON OBTAINING A CERTIFICATE OF ELIGIBILITY. Below is an abbreviated summary for retired military. If you are active military or a surviving spouse, click on the link to determine the correct documentation needed.
LOGIN FOR VA
Once you have determined what paperwork your status calls for, the first step for obtaining a VA loan is to login to VA.gov. If you are able to see my website, then you have the ability to get your login and necessary paperwork yourself, not pay a third party for help or lock in a lender for the correct answer. The links provided are here to help you speed up the process and do it yourself. Click here to get your Login for obtaining your military records.
VA DD214 FORM
If you have determined from the VA site link that you need your DD214 to get this entitlement, click: DD214 form. You must have the ability to login. The DD214 is crucial for a definitive answer.
On the DD Form 214, examine the character of service (item 24) and the narrative reason for separation (item 28). If those are not complete or if the DD214 that you obtain seems to not work for the next step of obtaining your Certificate of Eligibility (COE), you will need to do further work to get your records complete with VA.
If you are unsure where to turn for getting a complete DD214, call the Department of Veterans Affairs Loan Guarantee Service at (877) 827-3702 ext. 2. If you live close to Atlanta, GA, you can visit them at 1670 Clairmont Road, Decatur, GA 30033. If you decide to visit them, bring as much paperwork as you have so they can help you immediately. Once you have a valid DD214, it is simple to get your Certificate of Eligibility!
Certificate of Eligibility (COE)
Using the DD214, log into the VA Portal and answer a few questions related to your DD214.
It will immediately show you your eligibility and you can print it to provide to your lender.
Servicemembers, Veterans, and National Guard and Reserve Members
After gathering the evidence you need and obtaining a login, you can apply for your Certificate of Eligibility (COE).
To get your Certificate of Eligibility (COE) online, please go to the eBenefits portal. If you need any assistance please call the eBenefits Help Desk at 1-800-983-0937. Their hours are Monday-Friday, 8am to 8pm EST.