VA Research Center

This page is dedicated to providing information about VA Loans and other VA programs. As a Veteran of the Armed Forces or current servicemember, you are likely eligible to use a program created by the VA to help finance your home purchase or refinance. Remember that the VA itself does not provide loans - you must work with a private lender. Please read the information provided on VA Research Center below on the Veteran's Affair loan program or visit VA Mortgage Center to speak with a VA specialist today.

You can apply for a VA loan with any mortgage lender that participates in the Veterans Affair loan program. At some point, you will need to get a Certificate of Eligibility from the VA to prove to your lender that you are eligible for a VA mortgage. Watch this video on the benefits of VA mortgages and learn more now.

VA Certificate of Eligibility

To get a Certificate of Eligibility,  Complete an 1880: You can apply for a Certificate of Eligibility by submitting a completed VA Form 26-1880, Request For A Certificate of Eligibility For Home Loan Benefits, to one of the VA Eligibility Centers, along with proof of military service. In some cases it may be possible for the VA to establish eligibility without your proof of service. To avoid any possible delays, however, it is best to provide such evidence.

Most lenders have access to the ACE (automated certificate of eligibility) system - the VA Home Loan Center specializes in VA Loans. This Internet based application can establish eligibility and issue an online Certificate of Eligibility. Not all cases can be processed through this system, but you may speak to a loan specialist for more information.  However, veterans are encouraged to ask their lenders about this method of obtaining a certificate.

In the past fiscal year alone, the government has guaranteed 489,418 VA loans totaling more than $63 billion, so find out how you can take advantage of these cost savings. ***UPDATE: Again for 2009, the VA has set the loan limit on VA Home Loans to $417,000. With the troubles currently being seen in the housing market, there simply hasn't been a better time to utilize your benefits. As a qualifying Veteran or Active-Duty servicemember, now is the time to apply for a VA loan or a VA refinance.  You may also visit the VA Eligibility Page. For online help in learning more about the VA Home Loan Program, check out this information on online VA Loan tutorials.
 

New changes are coming to the VA Loan program. On February 20, 2008 the VA Loan Electronic Reporting Interface, or VALERI, will take over the current procedures in obtaining a VA Loan. Read more about the VALERI program here at VA Research Center.com