How To Use A Va Loan To Buy A House Apr 2026

The VA does not issue the loans; private banks and mortgage companies do. Each lender sets its own financial standards:

: While the VA has no minimum, most lenders look for a score between 580 and 620 . how to use a va loan to buy a house

You will need a to prove your status to lenders. You can obtain this through the VA.gov portal , by mail using VA Form 26-1880 , or by having a VA-approved lender like Veterans United or Rocket Mortgage pull it for you electronically. 2. Get Pre-approved by a VA Lender The VA does not issue the loans; private

: 90 days of wartime service or 181 days of peacetime service. You can obtain this through the VA

: Six creditable years or 90 days of active service (at least 30 consecutive) under Title 32 orders.

: Be ready to provide pay stubs, W-2s, bank statements, and your DD214. 3. Find a VA-Savvy Real Estate Agent