You fought for our home. We’ll fight for yours.

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.



To get your COE, you’ll need to have some proof of service, typically a DD-214. Our Home Loan Experts are happy to request your COE for you.

If you have doubts about whether you’re eligible for VA home loan benefits, consult our Home Loan Experts to discuss your service history. We’ll give you certainty about your VA benefit status.

Learn more about VA loans.

Yes, you can buy a condo with a VA loan, but there is an important consideration to keep in mind.



To use a VA home loan, the condo must be VA-approved and follow certain occupancy and ownership standards.

This is meant to safeguard veterans and active military service members from being overburdened by a homeowners association (HOA) in any way. However, if you have your heart set on buying a condo that is not approved by the VA, you may need to switch to a conventional mortgage loan to make the purchase. 



If you want to use your VA loan to buy a condo, you should find out right away if the condo is approved by the VA. This is important so you don't waste time looking at a condo that you can't actually buy with your VA loan.



Want to fully understand the details about buying a condo with a VA loan? Read How to get approved to buy a condo with a VA loan.

It’s a common misunderstanding that you can only use your VA home loan benefit once.



The truth is you can use your VA home loan benefit many times throughout your life. The misunderstanding may come from the guideline that VA-backed loans should be used on primary residence. That means that usually you can only have one VA home loan at a time.



There are some exceptions. For example, if you are moving due to a permanent change of station (PCS) order, you can own two homes with two different VA loans for a limited time.



There are other situations where you might have two VA loans at the same time. Learn more about how many times can you use a VA loan at our Learning Center. If you want answers to specific questions about your situation, reach out to us and ask for one of our VA loan experts.

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.