🎖️Who Qualifies for a VA Home Loan? A Guide for Veterans and Spouses🏡
Who qualifies for a VA home loan? Let’s break it down.
If you’ve served—or your spouse has—you might qualify for one of the most powerful homeownership tools available: the VA loan. And in a military-rich region like Hampton Roads, thousands of buyers use it every year to purchase homes in Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Chesapeake, and beyond.
✅ Here’s who may qualify:
Veterans with eligible service
Active-duty service members
Reservists and National Guard personnel (with sufficient service)
Surviving spouses of veterans who died in service or from service-connected conditions
💸 VA loans offer no down payment, no PMI, and flexible credit requirements, making homeownership more accessible—especially in a competitive market like ours.
📈 Key Takeaways
- VA loans require both eligibility and financial qualification (income and credit).
- Active-duty, Veterans, Reservists, and National Guard members may all be eligible based on service.
- Spouses can also qualify under specific conditions.
- Hampton Roads is a top market for VA loans, with 15 military installations and 41% of loans in 2024 being VA-backed.
- No down payment required, and no private mortgage insurance (PMI).
Understanding Eligibility vs. Entitlement
Eligibility is your right to apply for a VA loan based on military service or qualifying status. Entitlement is the amount the VA guarantees to your lender on your behalf.
You may be eligible, but you'll still need to meet the lender's income and credit requirements to get approved.
Who’s Eligible for a VA Home Loan?
🏁 Service Requirements
| Military Status | Minimum Service Requirement | Discharge Status |
|---|---|---|
| Wartime (e.g., Gulf War) | 90 days active duty | Other than dishonorable |
| Peacetime | 181 continuous days | Other than dishonorable |
| Current Active Duty | 90 continuous days | Still serving |
| Reserves/National Guard | 6 years in drilling status | Honorable discharge |
🧍 Spouses Who May Qualify
- Unmarried surviving spouse of a Veteran who died in service or from a service-connected condition.
- Remarried after age 57 and after Dec 16, 2003.
- Spouse of an MIA/POW for at least 90 days.
Why VA Loans Matter in Hampton Roads
Hampton Roads is home to the largest naval base in the world and 15 military installations total. According to HRTPO.org, the total military populaton (active duty, reserves, retirees and family members) account for approximately 20% of our area's 1.6 million population. With such a high concentration of active-duty and retired military families, VA loans play a crucial role in the local housing market.
🪖 Military Installations in Hampton Roads, VA
Hampton Roads is home to one of the most concentrated military regions in the country. Here's a breakdown of key installations by branch and function:
| Branch | Installation | Primary Function |
|---|---|---|
| U.S. Navy | Naval Station Norfolk | World's largest naval base |
| U.S. Navy | Naval Air Station Oceana | Master jet base (Atlantic Fleet) |
| U.S. Navy | Naval Support Activity Hampton Roads | Command and control center |
| U.S. Navy | Norfolk Naval Shipyard | Ship repair and overhaul |
| U.S. Navy | Naval Weapons Station Yorktown | Ordnance handling and storage |
| U.S. Navy | Cheatham Annex | Logistics and supply support |
| U.S. Navy | Naval Medical Center Portsmouth | Major Navy medical facility |
| U.S. Navy | Camp Peary (NWS Yorktown) | Restricted operations |
| U.S. Navy | Dam Neck Annex | Training and intel operations |
| U.S. Air Force | Langley Air Force Base | Home of the F-22 Raptor |
| U.S. Army | Fort Eustis | Training and logistics (JBLE) |
| U.S. Army | Fort Story | Amphibious operations (JEBLCFS) |
| U.S. Army | Army Corps of Engineers – Norfolk District | Engineering and water resource management |
| U.S. Marine Corps | Camp Allen | Logistics and security support |
| U.S. Coast Guard | Coast Guard Base Portsmouth | Regional command center |
📊 2024 Hampton Roads VA Loan Snapshot
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Total Military Installations | 15 |
| % of All Home Loans (2024, HMDA) | 41% |
| Common Buyer Profiles | Active-duty, Retired, Dual-military families |
What If I Used My VA Loan Before?
You may be able to restore your entitlement if:
- You sold the home and paid off the VA loan
- Another eligible Veteran assumed your loan
- You’re using the one-time restoration benefit without selling (only allowed once)
Example: A Veteran purchased a home in Chesapeake using a VA loan. After receiving PCS orders to San Diego, they kept the Chesapeake home as a rental and refinanced it into a conventional loan. Because they no longer had a VA loan on the original property, they qualified for one-time restoration and used their VA benefit again to buy a new home in California. In the future, to use their benefit again, they’ll need to sell both homes or request another restoration after full repayment of any VA-backed loans.
How to Get Your COE (Certificate of Eligibility)
You’ll need a COE to prove your eligibility to a lender. This document confirms that you meet the military service requirements for a VA loan and shows how much entitlement you have available. It may also include funding fee exemption status and outline special conditions. Many lenders can access your COE instantly through the VA’s WebLGY system, which makes it a quick and essential first step in your home loan process.
| Scenario | How to Get COE |
|---|---|
| Active Duty | Statement of Service (SOS) from unit |
| Veteran | DD-214 (Member Copy 4 preferred) |
| Reserve/Guard | NGB 22 + retirement points summary |
| Spouse | VA Form 26-1817 or 26-1880 |
Visit ebenefits.va.gov to apply.
🪵 FAQs About VA Loan Eligibility
- Can I use a VA loan more than once?
Yes. You can reuse your benefit as long as you have remaining entitlement or restore it. - Do I need a down payment with a VA loan?
No. One of the biggest advantages is 100% financing with no PMI. - Can surviving spouses really qualify?
Yes, under specific conditions related to service-connected death or MIA/POW status. - What if I served in the Reserves but not full-time?
You may qualify with 6 years of drilling status and honorable discharge. - What if I don’t have my DD-214 or paperwork?
You can request it via ebenefits or archives.gov.
📅 Ready to Explore Your Home Buyng Options with a VA Loan?
🎖️ Wondering If You Qualify for a VA Loan?
VA loans offer powerful benefits—but the rules can be tricky. Let's talk about your home buying plans so you can get personalized guidance on your next steps.
Thanks for Reading,
Liz Schuyler is a top Virginia Beach REALTOR® with RE/MAX Allegiance, licensed since 2001 and trusted across Hampton Roads. With 350+ homes sold, she helps clients Sell, Move, and Invest with confidence and strategy.
🚨 Hampton Roads Housing Market Update! 🚨
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Let’s talk about how you can navigate the market confidently — schedule your free buyer consultation today! 🏡 👉 https://calendly.com/liz-schuyler
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