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VA home loan types

We offer VA home loan programs to help you buy, build, or improve a home or refinance your current home loan—including a VA direct loan and 3 VA-backed loans. You can use these programs to buy a home or refinance a home loan only within the U.S. and its territories, including Puerto Rico and the Northern Mariana Islands. Learn more about the different programs, and find out if you can get a Certificate of Eligibility for a loan that meets your needs.

How does a VA direct home loan work?

With a VA direct home loan, we serve as your mortgage lender. This means you’ll work directly with us to apply for and manage your loan. The Native American Direct Loan (NADL) program often has better terms than a home loan from a private lender (a private bank, mortgage company, or credit union).
Find out if you qualify for a NADL

How does a VA-backed home loan work?

With a VA-backed home loan, we guarantee (or stand behind) a portion of the loan you get from a private lender. If your VA-backed home loan goes into foreclosure, the guaranty allows the lender to recover some or all of their losses. Since there’s less risk for the lender, they’re more likely to give you the loan under better terms. In fact, nearly 90% of all VA-backed home loans are made without a down payment.

Lenders follow our VA standards when making VA-backed home loans. They may also require you to meet additional standards before giving you a loan. These standards may include having a high enough credit score or getting an updated home appraisal (an expert’s estimate of the value of your home).

  • Looking to buy a home? Find out if you're eligible for a VA-backed purchase loan to get better terms than with a private-lender loan.

  • Are you a Native American Veteran or a Veteran married to a Native American? Find out if you're eligible for a NADL to buy, build, or improve a home on federal trust land.

  • Have an existing VA-backed home loan? Find out if you're eligible for a VA-backed IRRRL to help reduce your monthly payments or make them more stable.

  • Want to take cash out of your home equity to pay off debt, pay for school, or take care of other needs? Find out if you're eligible for a VA-backed cash-out refinance loan.

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