With Naval Air Station Fort Worth JRB and a large military and veteran community across DFW, VA loans are one of the most underused benefits we see. If you’ve served, this program can get you into a home with no down payment and terms that are hard to beat — here’s how it actually works.
Quick Answer: VA Loan Basics
• Down payment: None required for eligible veterans and active-duty service members on most loan amounts
• Mortgage insurance: Not required — VA loans don’t carry monthly PMI
• Credit score: The VA doesn’t set a minimum, though individual lenders typically look for scores in the high-
500s to low-600s
• Funding fee: A one-time fee applies in most cases (percentage varies by down payment, service history, and whether it’s your first use); many disabled veterans are exempt
Who’s Eligible for a VA Loan?
Eligibility generally covers veterans, active-duty service members, National Guard and Reserve members meeting service requirements, and certain surviving spouses. You’ll need a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) to confirm your specific eligibility and entitlement amount — we can help you pull this.
VA Loan Benefits Worth Knowing
• No down payment required for most eligible borrowers
• No monthly private mortgage insurance — a meaningful monthly savings compared to low-down-payment conventional or FHA loans
• Limits on what closing costs you can be charged compared to other loan types
• Loans are assumable by a qualified future buyer, which can be a selling advantage down the road
Understanding the VA Funding Fee
Most VA borrowers pay a one-time funding fee, financed into the loan, which helps keep the program running without ongoing mortgage insurance. The percentage depends on your down payment amount, whether it’s your first or a subsequent use of your VA benefit, and your service category — and the fee schedule is set by federal law and updated periodically, so always confirm the current rate rather than relying on an old figure. Veterans receiving VA disability compensation, and certain other borrowers, are often exempt from the fee entirely.
VA Loan Occupancy & Property Requirements
VA loans are intended for a primary residence, not investment or vacation properties, and the home generally needs to meet the VA’s minimum property requirements — safe, sound, and sanitary. This isn’t usually a barrier for typical move-in-ready homes in the Fort Worth area, but it’s worth knowing before you write an offer on a fixer-upper.
How to Get Started
1. Request your Certificate of Eligibility (COE) — we can help pull this quickly.
2. Get pre-approved so you know your real budget before you start touring homes.
3. Work with an agent familiar with VA offers — in a competitive market, a well-structured VA offer is just as strong as any other.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my VA loan benefit more than once?
Yes, as long as you have remaining entitlement — many veterans use VA loan benefits multiple times over their lifetime.
Do I have to be disabled to skip the funding fee?
Not necessarily — disability status is the most common exemption, but eligibility rules can include other categories too. We can check your specific situation.
Can I use a VA loan with a co-borrower who isn’t a veteran?
In many cases yes, most commonly with a spouse — details depend on your specific circumstances.
Ready to Talk Through Your Options?
Every buyer’s situation is different — the best way to know exactly what fits you is a quick, no-obligation conversation.
Cristina Calk
Team Calk | Fairway Independent Mortgage Corporation
Phone: 817-929-6239
Website: TeamCalk.com
Cristina Calk has over 23 years of experience helping DFW-area buyers navigate the home financing process.
NMLS# 497446 (Cristina Calk) | Fairway Independent Mortgage Corporation, NMLS# 2289. Equal Housing Lender. Programs and eligibility requirements are subject to change without notice and are current as of the publish date of this article; contact us for current terms. This is not an offer to extend credit or a commitment to lend, and no interest rate or Annual Percentage Rate (APR) is quoted in this article unless explicitly labeled as such and sourced. Contact us for a personalized rate quote and Loan Estimate, which will disclose your actual interest rate, APR, estimated payment, and closing costs in compliance with the Truth in Lending Act (Regulation Z). This article is for informational purposes only and is not tax or legal advice.