Military First Time Homebuyer Guide

VA loans put homebuying within reach thanks to benefits like 0% down, lower average rates and flexible credit guidelines.

Chris Birk

Kaleth O. Wright, 18th Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force

Written by Chris Birk Vice President of Mortgage Insight Reviewed by Kaleth O. Wright, 18th Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force 1 Updated on Sep 01, 2024

Reviewed by Kaleth O. Wright, 18th Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force 1

Purchasing Your First Home

Purchasing a first home is an exciting milestone in any person's life. For some, the process may also seem very intimidating. That's why our representatives are available 24/7 to help guide homebuyers and answer any questions they may have. Please don't hesitate to give us a call toll-free at 1-800-884-5560 or start your quote online.

How Much Home Can I Afford?

Typically, the first question would-be homebuyers ask themselves is, "What can I afford?" There are many factors that determine what a reasonable mortgage payment should be for an individual, including annual income, existing debt payments, down payment (if any), as well as additional costs like homeowners insurance and housing association fees. Veterans United provides a handy VA Loan Payment Calculator to help homebuyers find a monthly payment that's comfortable for them.

What Type of Loan Should I Get?

There are many financing options available for homebuyers out there, each with their own unique advantages. For most veteran and active duty military members, we at Veterans United highly recommend the federally-backed VA Loan due to its distinct benefits over traditional loans.

Advantages of a VA Loan:

No Down Payment Necessary.

Less Stringent Qualifications.

Lower Monthly Payments.

Have questions? Speak with a trusted VA-lending specialist

In addition to the VA Loan, Veterans United Home Loans is proud to offer several other financing options for homebuyers; including USDA loans, FHA loans, and traditional mortgages.

Getting Preapproved

The first step toward securing your loan is getting preapproved. This involves a prequalification process, where a loan officer assesses the homebuyer's financial situation and determines what they qualify for, and is followed by the homebuyer submitting a completed loan application to the lender for approval. Veterans United offers two ways to begin this process: You may either call us directly at 1-800-884-5560, or answer a few questions below to start your preapproval online.

Finding a Real Estate Agent

When using a VA Loan, it's important to find a real estate agent that not only knows the intricacies of the VA Benefit Program, but also understands the specific needs of veterans and active duty military members. Veterans United has put together a nationwide network of military-friendly real estate agents for just this purpose.

Helpful Resources

As a first-time homebuyer, you have many options when it comes to purchasing your home - including homes in high-cost areas. Learn about VA jumbo loans in our next section.

1 Our military advisors are paid employees of Veterans United Home Loans.

Call to see what you qualify for today! 1-800-884-5560 Get a Quote Representatives Available 24/7 to Better Serve Troops Overseas

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#1 VA Lender: Veterans United Home Loans provided more VA Home Loans by volume than any other lender as of Oct. 2023. Top VA Purchase Lender each Fiscal Year between 2016-2023. Source: Department of Veterans Affairs Lender Statistics

A VA approved lender; Not endorsed or sponsored by the Dept. of Veterans Affairs or any government agency. Licensed in all 50 states. Customers with questions regarding our loan officers and their licensing may visit the Nationwide Mortgage Licensing System & Directory for more information.

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