VA loan articles, written by people who close them.
Every number sourced from VA.gov, the VA Lenders Handbook M26-7, and 38 CFR Part 36. Updated for 2026.
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Where can you get straight answers about VA loans?
This blog explains VA loan rules in plain language: eligibility and the COE, how the funding fee works and who's exempt, why there's no VA loan limit with full entitlement, the IRRRL and cash-out refinance rules, and how VA compares to conventional financing. Each article cites VA.gov or the VA Lenders Handbook.
- Every article opens with a direct answer you can read in ten seconds
- Program rules are cited to VA.gov, the VA Lenders Handbook M26-7, or 38 CFR Part 36
- Consumer-side explanations link to neutral, non-HUD federal sources
- Figures reflect the current VA program year
- Articles are reviewed on a monthly cycle and dated honestly
Start with the article closest to your question; each one gives the rule, the source, and the number you actually need.
Reviewed by the licensed mortgage team at Simply Approved Mortgages · Last verified August 24, 2026 against the VA Lenders Handbook (M26-7)
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2026 VA Funding Fee Changes: What Veterans Actually Pay Now
The VA funding fee schedule sets the one-time cost that replaces mortgage insurance on every VA loan. Here's the current chart, who's exempt, and how it's financed.
Why VA Loans Have No Loan Limit With Full Entitlement
Since the Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act took effect in 2020, veterans with full entitlement can borrow whatever a lender approves — with $0 down. Here's how that actually works.
VA vs Conventional Loans: Which One Saves You More in 2026?
VA loans need $0 down and no mortgage insurance, ever. Conventional loans require at least 3% down and PMI until 20% equity. Here's when each one wins.
How VA Disability Compensation Waives Your Funding Fee
Veterans receiving VA disability compensation pay $0 funding fee — often the single biggest savings in the entire loan. Here's how the exemption is proven and refunded.
IRRRL Recoupment Rules: The 36-Month Test That Decides If You Can Refinance
The VA won't let you refinance into an IRRRL just to lower your rate slightly — the fees have to pay for themselves within 36 months. Here's exactly how that math works.
VA Appraisal Turn Times and the Tidewater Process, Explained
A VA appraisal checks value and Minimum Property Requirements. If the value looks like it will come in low, Tidewater gives your agent a shot to submit more comps before the Notice of Value is finalized.
Buying a Duplex, Triplex, or Fourplex With a VA Loan
A VA loan can finance up to a 4-unit property with $0 down, as long as you live in one unit. Rent from the other units can even help you qualify.
PCS Orders and VA Loan Occupancy: What You Need to Know
A permanent change of station doesn't wait for a house to sell. Here's how VA's occupancy rule works around PCS timelines, and how to use a second VA loan with remaining entitlement.
VA Loan Eligibility for Surviving Spouses: What Qualifies and How to Apply
Un-remarried surviving spouses of veterans who died in service or from a service-connected disability can use the VA loan benefit — often with the funding fee waived entirely.
Restoring Your VA Entitlement After Selling a Home
Selling a VA-financed home and paying off the loan restores your entitlement to full — but the paperwork isn't automatic. Here's exactly how restoration works, including the one-time exception.
Documents You Need for a VA IRRRL Streamline Refinance
VA IRRRL overview with eligibility, entitlement, costs, homeowner obligations, and practical next steps for a clearer estimate. today. Get my estimate
Who a VA IRRRL Streamline Refinance Is Right
VA IRRRL Streamline Refinance overview with eligibility, entitlement, costs, homeowner obligations, and practical next steps for a clearer. Get my estimate
VA Purchase Loan Delays: Common Reasons Applications Stall
Underwriters cannot issue a final loan commitment without validating your military service and available guaranty entitlement. Check eligibility today.
VA Purchase Loan Costs and Closing Timeline
Although eligible buyers can purchase a primary residence without a down payment, this loan is not completely free of closing expenses. Compare your options.
VA Loan Programs We Offer and How to Choose Between Them
VA Loan Programs overview with eligibility, entitlement, costs, homeowner obligations, and practical next steps for a clearer estimate. today. Get my estimate
Understanding VA Cash-Out Refinance Loan Limits And Entitlement
VA Cash-out Refinance overview with eligibility, entitlement, costs, homeowner obligations, and practical next steps for a clearer estimate.. Get my estimate
Recouping or Disputing a VA Funding Fee Payment
Disputing Or Recouping A VA overview with eligibility, entitlement, costs, homeowner obligations, and practical next steps for a clearer. Get my estimate
VA Funding Fee Changes And Updates: What To Know For 2026
VA Funding Fee overview with eligibility, entitlement, costs, homeowner obligations, and practical next steps for a clearer estimate. today. Get my estimate
VA Funding Fee Waiver for Disabled Veterans in Florida
VA Funding Fee overview with eligibility, entitlement, costs, homeowner obligations, and practical next steps for a clearer estimate. today. Get my estimate
VA Funding Fee For Refinance Loans And Cash-Out Options
VA Funding Fee For Refinance overview with eligibility, entitlement, costs, homeowner obligations, and practical next steps for a clearer. Get my estimate
Calculating Your VA Funding Fee: What to Expect
Calculating Your VA Funding Fee overview with eligibility, entitlement, costs, homeowner obligations, and practical next steps for a clearer. Get my estimate
Who Is Exempt From The VA Funding Fee
Who Is Exempt From The overview with eligibility, entitlement, costs, homeowner obligations, and practical next steps for a clearer estimate.. Get my estimate
Understanding the VA Home Loan Funding Fee
Understanding The VA Home Loan overview with eligibility, entitlement, costs, homeowner obligations, and practical next steps for a clearer. Get my estimate
VA Renovation Loan Florida Colorado: Eligibility Explained
VA Renovation Loan Florida Colorado overview with eligibility, entitlement, costs, homeowner obligations, and practical next steps. Get my estimate
Understanding the VA Renovation Loan Process: What Veterans Should Know
Understanding The VA Renovation Loan overview with eligibility, entitlement, costs, homeowner obligations, and practical next steps. Get my estimate
Working With Contractors On A VA Renovation Loan Project
VA Renovation Loan overview with eligibility, entitlement, costs, homeowner obligations, and practical next steps for a clearer estimate. today. Get my estimate
VA Renovation Loan vs. Cash-Out Refinance for Home Repairs
VA Renovation Loan overview with eligibility, entitlement, costs, homeowner obligations, and practical next steps for a clearer estimate. today. Get my estimate
Financing Home Improvements with a VA Renovation Loan
Financing Home Improvements overview with eligibility, entitlement, costs, homeowner obligations, and practical next steps for a clearer. Get my estimate
VA Renovation Loan Requirements For Eligible Properties
VA Renovation Loan Requirements For overview with eligibility, entitlement, costs, homeowner obligations, and practical next steps. Get my estimate
VA Renovation Loan: Fund Home Repairs For Veterans
VA Loan overview with eligibility, entitlement, costs, homeowner obligations, and practical next steps for a clearer estimate. before you apply. Get my estimate
VA Cash-Out Refinance in Florida and Colorado
VA Cash-out Refinance In Florida overview with eligibility, entitlement, costs, homeowner obligations, and practical next steps for a clearer. Get my estimate
Comparing VA Cash-Out Refinance With Other Equity Options
Comparing VA Cash-out Refinance overview with eligibility, entitlement, costs, homeowner obligations, and practical next steps for a clearer. Get my estimate
VA Cash-Out Refinance Closing Costs and Fees
VA Cash-out Refinance Closing Costs overview with eligibility, entitlement, costs, homeowner obligations, and practical next steps. Get my estimate
Using a VA Cash-Out Refinance to Consolidate Debt
Using VA Cash-out Refinance overview with eligibility, entitlement, costs, homeowner obligations, and practical next steps for a clearer. Get my estimate
VA Cash-Out Refinance Eligibility Requirements
VA Cash-out Refinance Eligibility Requirements overview with eligibility, entitlement, costs, homeowner obligations, and practical next steps. Get my estimate
VA Cash-Out Refinance: What Homeowners Should Know
VA Cash-out Refinance overview with eligibility, entitlement, costs, homeowner obligations, and practical next steps for a clearer estimate.. Get my estimate
Can You Refinance a Non-VA Mortgage With a VA Loan?
Can You Refinance A Non-va overview with eligibility, entitlement, costs, homeowner obligations, and practical next steps for a clearer. Get my estimate
VA Refinance Closing Costs 2026
VA Refinance Closing Costs overview with eligibility, entitlement, costs, homeowner obligations, and practical next steps for a clearer. Get my estimate
Proven Requirements for a VA Streamline Refinance
Requirements For A VA Streamline overview with eligibility, entitlement, costs, homeowner obligations, and practical next steps for a clearer. Get my estimate
VA IRRRL vs. Cash-Out Refinance: How to Choose
Choosing Between VA IRRRL overview with eligibility, entitlement, costs, homeowner obligations, and practical next steps for a clearer. Get my estimate
VA Cash-Out Refinance: Using Home Equity as a Veteran
VA Cash Out Refinance Home overview with eligibility, entitlement, costs, homeowner obligations, and practical next steps for a clearer. Get my estimate
VA Interest Rate Reduction Refinance
VA Interest Rate Reduction Refinance overview with eligibility, entitlement, costs, homeowner obligations, and practical next steps. Get my estimate
VA Refinance Options for an Existing Mortgage
VA Refinance Loans Options Existing overview with eligibility, entitlement, costs, homeowner obligations, and practical next steps. Get my estimate
VA Loan Closing Costs for Veterans in Florida
VA Loan Closing Costs overview with eligibility, entitlement, costs, homeowner obligations, and practical next steps for a clearer estimate.. Get my estimate
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