How Much of a VA Loan Can I Get?

How much of a VA loan can you get? That depends on a number of factors, including income, credit score, employment history, and more.

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How Much of a VA Loan Can I Get?

If you’re a veteran or currently serving in the military, you may be eligible for a VA loan. VA loans are government-backed loans that can be used to purchase a home or refinance an existing mortgage. The loan is guaranteed by the Department of Veterans Affairs and can be issued by any lender that participates in the VA loan program. So, how much of a VA loan can you get?

How the VA Loan Limit Is Calculated

Your loan limit is based on your “entitlement.” Entitlement is the amount of money the government is willing to back for your loan. In other words, if you default on your loan, the government will pay off a portion of it.

The amount of your entitlement is based on a number of factors, including the length of time you served in the military and whether or not you had any service-connected disabilities.

For most veterans who served after September 11, 2001, entitlement is $36,000. However, if you have a service-connected disability, your entitlement may be higher.

The Base VA Loan Limit

The base VA loan limit is the limit of liability that the VA will assume for a given loan amount. This limit does not reflect the actual amount that you may be able to borrow, as your lender will factor in your income, debts, and credit score when determining your loan amount. The base loan limits are as follows:

-On one-unit properties: $484,350
-On two-unit properties: $620,200
-On three-unit properties: $749,650
-On four-unit properties: $931,600

The High-Cost Area VA Loan Limit

The maximum guaranty amount for loans above $144,000 is 25 percent of the 2018 VA county loan limit shown below. Veterans with full entitlement available may borrow up to this limit and VA will guarantee 25 percent of the loan amount. If the Veteran elects to make a down payment in excess of 25 percent, the lender may request our prior approval to protect its interest in the event of payment default. There is no maximum loan amount for a Veteran with full entitlement.

In order to get the full VA loan guarantee for a jumbo loan, you will need to make a down payment of at least 25 percent of the difference between the county loan limit and the purchase price of the home. For example, if you are buying a home in a county with a $500,000 loan limit and you need a $750,000 loan, you will need to make a down payment of at least $125,000.

The VA Loan Limit for 2-Unit Properties

The VA loan limit for 2-unit properties is $1,054,500. This is down from $1,094,626 in 2019, $1,034,525 in 2018, and $1,014,400 in 2017. The loan limit for 2-unit properties is the same as the VA loan limit for single-family homes.

The VA Loan Limit for 3-Unit Properties

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has released the loan limits for 3-unit properties, which will go into effect on January 1, 2020. The new loan limit for 3-unit properties will be $765,600.

This is an increase from the current loan limit of $721,050. The loan limit for 3-unit properties is based on the median sale price for these properties in your area. If you’re interested in buying a 3-unit property with a VA loan, you’ll need to work with a lender who can help you determine if you qualify for the loan and how much you can borrow.

The VA Loan Limit for 4-Unit Properties

The standard VA loan limit for a four-unit property is $1,000,000. The limit is the same for 4-unit properties regardless of whether they are owner-occupied or non-owner occupied. If you need a loan for more than the standard limit, you will need to apply for a jumbo VA loan.

How Much Home Can I Afford With a VA Loan?

If you’re a veteran or active military member, you may be wondering how much of a VA loan you can get. The answer depends on several factors, including your income, credit score, and the size of your down payment. In general, you can get up to 100% of the purchase price of your home with a VA loan. However, if you have a low credit score or a small down payment, you may only be eligible for a smaller loan.

The 28/36 Rule

To ensure that veterans and service members don’t get in over their heads, lenders apply a guideline called the 28/36 rule. Here’s how it works:

Lenders want your total monthly housing payment, including your principal, interest, taxes and insurance (PITI), to be no more than 28% of your pretax monthly income. They also want your total debt obligations — including your PITI, car payments and other debts, such as student loans — to be no more than 36% of your pretax monthly income.

For example, say you make $5,000 per month before taxes. Your lender would multiply that by .28 to come up with a maximum PITI payment of $1,400 per month. Then they’d multiply your monthly income by .36 to come up with a maximum debt-obligation limit of $1,800 per month.

In this scenario, the lender would consider anything above $1,800 to be too risky and would likely deny the loan.

Other Factors to Consider

Aside from your income and debts, there are other factors to consider when determining how much home you can afford with a VA loan. These include:

-Your credit score. A higher credit score indicates to lenders that you’re a lower-risk borrower, which could result in a lower interest rate on your loan.
-The size of your down payment. A larger down payment could result in a lower monthly payment.
-Your employment history. A steady employment history is usually a requirement for getting a VA loan.
-Other debts you may have. Having other debts, such as a car loan or credit card debt, can impact the size of the loan you qualify for.

How to Get a VA Loan

VA loans are one of the few 100% financing options available today. But just because you can qualify for a VA loan doesn’t mean you can afford the home. VA loans are a great benefit to eligible veterans, but there are a few things you need to know before you get started. In this section, we’ll discuss how much of a VA loan you can get.

Eligibility

To be eligible for a VA loan, you must be a current or former member of the U.S. military, a reservist or National Guard member, or the spouse of a service member who is missing in action or has died as a result of service-related injuries. You must also have a satisfactory credit history and sufficient income to make your monthly mortgage payments. In addition, the home you purchase must be within VA loan limits.

For most borrowers, the biggest hurdle to buying a home with a VA loan is securing sufficient financing. VA loans are notoriously difficult to find, especially if you don’t have perfect credit. Fortunately, there are a number of lenders who specialize in VA loans and are willing to work with borrowers who may not have ideal credit profiles. These lenders can help you get the financing you need to purchase your home.

Applying for a Certificate of Eligibility

In order to apply for a VA loan, you must first obtain a Certificate of Eligibility (COE). You can apply for a COE through the Veterans Administration or your lender. If you are applying through the VA, you will need to fill out the Veterans Administration Form 26-1880. You can get this form from your local VA office or online at the VA website.

If you are applying for a COE through your lender, they will usually require that you complete a Loan Application and Authorization released by the Veterans Administration. Your lender will also require that you provide proof of military service. Once you have completed these steps, your lender will submit your application to the VA for approval.

The VA Loan Process

The VA loan process is simple, standardized and efficient. But there are a few things you should know before you apply for a VA loan.

First, the VA will evaluate your credit history and your ability to repay the loan. If you have a good credit history, you will likely be approved for the loan. However, if you have a poor credit history, the VA may require a co-signer on the loan.

Next, the VA will appraise your property to determine its value. The appraised value of your property will determine how much of a loan you can receive from the VA.

Once your credit and property have been approved, you will need to find a lender who participates in the VA loan program. You can find a list of participating lenders on the VA website. Once you have found a lender, you will apply for the loan and provide all of the required documentation.

After your loan has been approved, you will sign a promissory note and close on your loan. Once your loan has closed, you will begin making monthly payments on your mortgage.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the answer to the question “How much of a VA loan can I get?” depends on a number of factors, including your credit score, your employment history, and your income. However, if you have a good credit score and a steady income, you should be able to get a VA loan for up to $453,100.