Back to GuidesReal Estate
VA Loan Benefits: 0% Down for Veterans & Service Members
VA loan eligibility, no down payment, no PMI, funding fee, and how VA loans compare to conventional.
July 9, 20267 min readBy MyWealthForge
Key Takeaways
- 10% down payment for eligible veterans and active duty.
- 2No monthly PMI — major savings vs FHA/conventional.
- 3VA funding fee: 1.25–3.3% (waived for disabled veterans).
- 4Must occupy as primary residence.
VA loans are one of the best mortgage benefits for military members — but rules and funding fees trip up many buyers.
Calculate payments with our mortgage calculator.
Who Qualifies
Active duty (90+ days wartime / 181 days peacetime). Veterans with honorable discharge. National Guard/Reserves with 6+ years. Surviving spouses in some cases.
VA vs Other Loans
No down payment beats FHA 3.5% and conventional 3–20%. Funding fee is the main upfront cost.
Compare FHA vs conventional.
Continue Reading
Ready to run your own numbers?
Explore All Calculators