VA Loans
Expert guides on VA loans, credit, and homebuying for Veterans and military families.
Featured
VA Cash-Out Refinance Fees: Funding Fee, Closing Costs & Cash You Receive
The funding fee on a VA cash-out refinance is 2.15% for first-time use and 3.3% for subsequent use, compared to 0.5% on an IRRRL. Lender origination fees add…
Read Article →
Run the numbers before you shop — know your budget and what you'll pay at closing.
Latest from VALN
VA Cash-Out Refinance Rates in 2026: Compare Rates, Fees and Cash Received
VA cash-out refinance rates run higher than purchase rates, and the gap widens as LTV increases. On top…
VA IRRRL Rates Today: Compare Rates, APR & Fees
VA IRRRL rates are set by individual lenders, not by the VA, and they shift daily with the…
When to Refinance a VA Loan in 2026: Costs & Savings
Refinancing a VA loan makes sense when the rate drop covers your closing costs within a reasonable break-even…
Refinance Conventional to VA Loan: Rules & Costs (2026)
Veterans with a conventional mortgage can switch to a VA loan through a VA cash-out refinance, even without…
VA Loan Employment Requirements: 2-Year Work History
VA loan lenders require 2 years of stable and reliable income that will continue during the foreseeable future.…
VA IRRRL Closing Costs & Fees: 2026 Breakdown
A VA IRRRL limits closing costs by design, with the funding fee set at 0.5% and lender origination…
Disabled Veteran VA Loan Closing Costs: 2026 Savings
Veterans with a 10% or higher disability rating are exempt from the VA funding fee, removing what amounts…
VA IRRRL vs. Cash-Out Refinance: Which One Is Better for You?
The IRRRL and VA cash-out refinance solve different problems, and the funding fee gap makes choosing the wrong…
VA Loan Earnest Money: How Much You Need and When It’s Refundable
VA loans do not require earnest money, but sellers still expect a deposit even on a no-down-payment purchase.…
VA Loan Prequalification: How to Get Prequalified (2026)
VA loan prequalification takes minutes and gives Veterans a borrowing estimate based on self-reported income, credit, and Military…
How to Make a VA Loan Offer More Competitive (2026)
A VA loan offer wins or loses on how the buyer structures it, not on the loan program…
Do Discharged Debts Count in VA Loan DTI? (2026)
A debt discharged in bankruptcy should not count toward a VA loan's debt-to-income ratio when the discharge eliminated…