VA home loans

Maximize your VA benefits

Save more with 0% down options, easier refinancing, and favorable rates.
Collage showing an active-duty service member opening a door, a veteran with their dog, and a couple identified as spouses and family, each labeled on a dark blue background.Collage showing an active-duty service member opening a door, a veteran with their dog, and a couple identified as spouses and family, each labeled on a dark blue background.

Legal Disclosure

1Based on internal Rocket Mortgage data for VA Streamline loans from July 7 - Sept 29, 2025.

VA loan options with built-in benefits

Eligible buyers could save big

Zero down payment

VA loans may allow financing up to 100% of the purchase price, 0% down.

Access lower rates

Access to rates that are often lower than other types of loans.

No mortgage insurance

You could save more each month by not paying PMI (Private Mortgage Insurance).

Man and woman relaxing on leather chairs in a living room, smiling at each other, with a brown dog standing nearby.

Eligible buyers could save big

Zero down payment

VA loans may allow financing up to 100% of the purchase price, 0% down.

Access lower rates

Access to rates that are often lower than other types of loans.

No mortgage insurance

You could save more each month by not paying PMI (Private Mortgage Insurance).

Man and woman relaxing on leather chairs in a living room, smiling at each other, with a brown dog standing nearby.

The benefits of a VA refi

More cash-out flexibility

Access up to 100% of your equity with a VA loan, vs about 80% with conventional.

Lower rates & monthly payments

Have a VA loan and want to upgrade your terms? You could benefit from an Interest Rate Reduction Refinance Loan (IRRRL). 1

Legal disclosure

1 The VA Streamline program may have stricter requirements in some states. In order to qualify for the VA Streamline program, you must have a VA loan. The VA Streamline is only available on primary residences. Cash-out transactions are not allowed. In order to qualify for a VA Streamline, a 0.5% minimum reduction in interest rate on the previous fixed-rate loan must occur if the new loan will be a fixed rate or a 2% minimum reduction in interest rate on previous adjustable rate mortgage loan must occur; a minimum of 6 months of consecutive mortgage payments must be paid on the current loan at the time of application. Some states may require an appraisal. Additional restrictions/conditions may apply.

No appraisal needed

Some VA refis don’t require appraisals, and you could roll closing costs in the loan.
Man and woman relaxing on leather chairs in a living room, smiling at each other, with a brown dog standing nearby.

Curious about qualifications?

VA fixed-rate loan

Enjoy fixed, favorable rates and 0% down options.

VA eligibility required

30, 20, or 15-year terms

Min. credit score 640

Closing costs of 2% - 5%

VA jumbo loan

Flexible qualifications for larger loan amounts.

VA eligibility required

30 or 15-year terms

Min. credit score 640

Closing costs of 3% - 5%

VA streamline refi (IRRRL)

Relax into lower payments or better terms. 2

VA eligibility required

No appraisal needed

Min. credit score 580

Must have existing VA loan

3 of 3 options

We're serving those who've served us

Meet Robert, who didn’t think his service qualified for a VA loan. Turns out it did, and it opened the door to the home he wanted.
Robert B., an elderly veteran wearing a white shirt holds the American flag.

Video

More for you to explore

BAH calculator

Affordability calculator

Mortgage calculator

Frequently asked questions

Answers to questions about this loan we heard from people like you during research.

The main thing that sets VA loans apart is they’re only available to eligible service members, veterans and surviving spouses. That’s because they’re backed by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Here are some other ways VA loans are different.

  • You need a Certificate of Eligibility from the VA to show lenders you qualify for a VA loan.
  • In most cases, you won’t need a down payment to buy a home. Don’t forget you’ll still need funds for closing costs.
  • You won’t pay private mortgage insurance on a VA loan. Instead, you may have to pay the VA Funding Fee.

These articles will help you learn more about how VA loans compare to other home loans.

FHA vs. VA loans: what's the difference, and which one is best for you?
VA loan vs. conventional loan: What's the difference?

If you meet the minimum active-duty service requirements based on when and where you served, you could be eligible for a Certificate of Eligibility (COE). That’s the document that shows lenders you qualify for a VA loan.

Surviving spouses of a veteran may also be eligible for a COE.

We can help you know if you're eligible, or you can check on the VA website.

A VA loan is meant to be used to buy a home that will be your primary residence. This includes a one-unit manufactured home. Otherwise, you can buy property with up to four units as long as you live in one of the units and it’s your primary residence.

If you’re interested in a second home, vacation home or investment property, we recommend chatting with one of our experts to see what’s possible.

VA loans don’t just come with benefits for home buyers. Eligible homeowners can benefit too, whether you have a VA loan now or refinance to one.

Use more of your home equity. Equity is the difference between the value of your home and what you owe on it. With a conventional loan, you typically can only access up to 80% of your home equity. A VA loan can allow you access 100%.

Take cash out with lower credit than other loans. Your credit can be as low as 580 to take cash out, compared to 620 for other loan types.

The interest rate reduction refinance loan (IRRRL), also called a VA streamline refinance, is for people in the following situation:

  • Already have a VA loan
  • Want a lower interest rate to get a lower monthly mortgage payment
  • Or want to change from an adjustable-rate mortgage to a fixed mortgage

It’s called “streamline” because you typically don’t need an appraisal and there’s often less paperwork compared to just refinancing. Your credit can be as low as 580 to refinance using the IRRRL.

Unfortunately, you can’t take cash out with a VA streamline refinance. Whatever your goal, if you’re exploring refinancing we’ll help you know all your options and most importantly, if refinancing is right for you.

 Get VA loan tips

We don’t just serve veterans and their families, we hire them too

Important legal disclosures

Rocket Mortgage is a VA-approved lender, not endorsed or sponsored by the Dept. of Veterans Affairs or any government agency.

Refinancing may cause finance charges to be higher over the life of the loan.

1 The VA Streamline program may have stricter requirements in some states. In order to qualify for the VA Streamline program, you must have a VA loan. The VA Streamline is only available on primary residences. Cash-out transactions are not allowed. In order to qualify for a VA Streamline, a 0.5% minimum reduction in interest rate on the previous fixed-rate loan must occur if the new loan will be a fixed rate or a 2% minimum reduction in interest rate on previous adjustable rate mortgage loan must occur; a minimum of 6 months of consecutive mortgage payments must be paid on the current loan at the time of application. Some states may require an appraisal. Additional restrictions/conditions may apply.