Your VA Loan Starts Here
Close on your home in days, not months.
Find out how much you qualify for today
Serving Those Who Served, Right Here in San Diego
We are proud to serve those who have served our country. Our deep understanding of the VA loan process and the San Diego housing market ensures a smooth and stress-free home buying experience for the military community.
Buy With Zero Down
Use the powerful VA benefit you’ve earned to purchase your San Diego home with no down payment
Lower Your Monthly Payment
VA loans have no monthly PMI (Private Mortgage Insurance), saving you money every single month.
Close In Record Time
Our streamlined process and expert team are dedicated to getting you the keys to your new home, fast
We Are SanDiegoVA.Org
The Wholesale Advantage: Better Rates, Lower Costs
As a wholesale mortgage broker, we operate differently than a traditional bank or retail lender—and that difference means significant savings for you.
How This Benefits You:
One Application, Many Options: Instead of you applying at multiple banks, you submit one application with us. We do all the work of finding the lender that offers the best terms for your specific situation.
We Make Lenders Compete: We shop your loan application to multiple lenders, forcing them to compete for your business. This competition drives down interest rates and fees, ensuring you get the best possible deal.
Access to Lower Rates: You get access to wholesale interest rates, which are not available to the general public and are typically lower than standard retail rates.
Expert Guidance
Our VA loan specialists are dedicated to the military community and provide support every step of the way
Eligibility Assistance
We help active-duty members, veterans, and eligible surviving spouses access the documents and records needed to access their VA home loan benefits
VA Streamline
Already a homeowner? We can help you lower your rate or take cash out with a VA refinance loan in as little as one week
Our Simple 3-Step Process
From Application to Keys in Hand, We’re With You Every Step of the Way.
(Step 1)
Get Pre-Approved
It starts with a simple conversation. We’ll help you determine your eligibility and buying power, getting you a pre-approval letter so you can start your home search with confidence.”
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(Step 2)
Find Your Home
Once you’re pre-approved, you can work with a real estate agent to find the perfect home. We’ll be on standby to provide support and answer any financing questions.
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(Step 3)
Close In Record Time
Our streamlined process and dedicated team work to get you to the finish line fast. We handle the complexities so you can focus on your new home.
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WHAT PEOPLE SAY
Our Clients Reviews
Hear from the military families and veterans we’ve been honored to help find a home here in San Diego
“[SanDiegoVA.Org] made the VA loan process incredibly simple and stress-free. Their team was always available to answer our questions and helped us close on our dream home in record time. We couldn’t have done it without them.”
– J. Miller U.S. Navy Veteran, Coronado
“As first-time homebuyers, we were overwhelmed. They walked us through every step of the VA loan process with patience and expertise. They made a complicated process feel simple and straightforward.”
– Michael and Sarah R., U.S. Navy
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the VA Funding Fee?
The VA funding fee is a one-time fee paid to the VA to help sustain the loan program for future generations. The fee varies depending on your service, down payment amount, and whether it’s your first time using the benefit. Some veterans, including those receiving VA disability compensation, are exempt from paying the fee. It can be paid in cash at closing or financed into the total loan amount.
Is there a minimum credit score for a VA loan?
The VA itself does not set a minimum credit score. However, most VA-approved lenders have their own internal requirements, often starting in the low 600s.
What are the VA loan limits?
As of 2020, qualified veterans with their full VA loan entitlement have no official loan limit. This means the VA will guarantee loans of any size, provided the borrower can afford the mortgage. Your loan amount will ultimately be determined by your lender based on your income and credit profile.
Ready to Take the Next Step?
Your military service has earned you access to one of the best mortgage products available. If you’re ready to explore your options and begin your path to homeownership, our team of VA loan specialists is here to help.
The VA Loan Process:
A Step-by-Step Guide
Step 1: Verify Your Eligibility and Obtain Your Certificate of Eligibility (COE)
Before you can apply for the loan, you must prove to the lender that you meet the VA’s eligibility requirements. The key document for this is the Certificate of Eligibility (COE).
- Who is Eligible? Generally, you are eligible if you are a veteran, active-duty service member, National Guard member, or Reserve member with a specified minimum period of service. Certain surviving spouses of service members who died in the line of duty or from a service-related disability may also be eligible.
- How to Get Your COE:
- Through a Lender: The fastest and easiest method. A VA-approved lender can typically access the VA’s database and get your COE for you in minutes.
- Online: You can apply for your COE online through the VA’s eBenefits portal.
- By Mail: You can apply by mail by filling out VA Form 26-1880, “Request for a Certificate of Eligibility.”
You will need to provide proof of service, such as your DD-214 for veterans or a statement of service for active-duty members.
Step 2: Get Pre-Approved with a VA-Approved Lender
Once you have your COE, the next crucial step is getting pre-approved. A pre-approval letter shows sellers you are a serious buyer and gives you a clear understanding of your budget.
- What is Pre-Approval? A lender will review your financial profile, including your income, credit history, assets, and debt-to-income ratio (DTI), to determine how much they are willing to lend you.
- Why it’s Important:
- It defines your home shopping budget.
- It strengthens your purchase offer in a competitive market.
- It helps you identify and address any potential financial hurdles early on.
It’s important to choose a lender who has significant experience with VA loans, as they will be familiar with the specific requirements and processes.
Step 3: Find a Home and Make an Offer
With your pre-approval letter in hand, it’s time for the exciting part: house hunting.
- Work with a Real Estate Agent: Partner with a real estate agent who understands the needs of military buyers and is familiar with the VA loan process.
- Making an Offer: When you find the right home, your agent will help you submit a purchase offer. Your offer will include the price, contingencies, and a proposed closing date. The purchase agreement must include a “VA Option Clause,” which allows you to back out of the contract without penalty if the property appraises for less than the sales price.
Step 4: The VA Appraisal and Underwriting
After your offer is accepted, the loan application moves into the formal processing and underwriting stages.
- The VA Appraisal: The lender will order a VA appraisal. A VA-assigned appraiser will assess the home’s value to ensure it’s worth at least what you’ve agreed to pay. The appraiser also checks to make sure the property meets the VA’s Minimum Property Requirements (MPRs), which ensure the home is safe, sound, and sanitary.
- Underwriting: An underwriter will perform a final, in-depth review of your financial documents (pay stubs, bank statements, tax returns) and the property details. They verify that you and the property meet all VA and lender guidelines. If the underwriter is satisfied, they will issue a “clear to close.”
Step 5: Closing on Your New Home
This is the final step in your journey to homeownership.
- What Happens at Closing? You will attend a meeting to sign all the final loan documents and ownership paperwork. This includes the promissory note (your promise to repay the loan) and the mortgage or deed of trust, which secures the loan with the property.
- Closing Costs: You will need to pay for closing costs, which can include appraisal fees, title insurance, and other third-party fees. The VA limits the closing costs sellers can ask veterans to pay, and it’s often possible to negotiate for the seller to cover some or all of these expenses.
- Get Your Keys: Once all documents are signed and the funds are transferred, the home is officially yours. Congratulations!
Key Benefits of a VA Loan (A Quick Recap)
- $0 Down Payment: For most qualified borrowers.
- No Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI): This can save you hundreds of dollars per month compared to conventional loans.
- Competitive Interest Rates: The VA’s guarantee often results in lower interest rates.
- Limited Closing Costs: The VA regulates what costs a veteran can pay.
- Reusable Benefit: You can use your VA loan benefit multiple times throughout your life.