VA Loan Data Hub Data Dictionary
Field names · units · examples · join keys
VA Loan Data Dictionary
This dictionary defines the fields used across the VA Loan Data Hub and CSV downloads. Each entry lists the field name, what it means, measurement units, a sample value, and which dataset pages rely on it.
Updated: (unchanged for 2026)
Scope: Fields across all current public VA datasets
Format: Tables + CSV-aligned names
How to use Core IDs & geography Loan limits & entitlement fields Funding fee & closing-cost fields Property, appraisal & MPR fields State benefit & overlay fields Citation & references Frequently Asked Questions
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How to use this dictionary
Use this page before building joins, dashboards, or models on VA Loan Network data.
Field names are CSV-stable
- Columns in CSV exports match the field_name values shown here.
- We avoid renaming; if a rename is ever required, we document it in the notes.
Join on IDs, not labels
- Use state_code and county_fips for joins.
- Human-readable names (like “Travis County”) are for display, not matching.
Core identifiers & geography fields
These fields appear in multiple datasets and are the safest keys for joins.
| Field name | Label | Type / unit | Example | Used in | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| dataset_slug | Dataset slug | Text | funding_fee | All CSVs | Identifies which VA Loan Network dataset a record comes from. |
| dataset_version | Dataset version | Text / semantic | 2026.1 | Most data CSVs | Version string for the dataset; used when structure or rules change. |
| effective_date | Effective date | Date (ISO) | 2026-01-01 | Funding fee, limits, residual income | Date on which a rate, table, or limit becomes effective. |
| state_code | State code | Text (USPS code) | TX | Loan limits, appraisal fees, state benefits, local overlays | Two-letter USPS abbreviation (includes DC and PR where applicable). |
| state_name | State name | Text | Texas | Loan limits, state benefits pages | Human-readable state name. Use state_code as the join key. |
| county_name | County name | Text | Travis County | Loan limits | County label used for display; not unique without state_code. |
| county_fips | County FIPS | Text (5 digits) | 48453 | Loan limits | FIPS code used as the canonical county-level join key. |
| region_name | Region name | Text (enum) | South | Residual income, appraisal fees | High-level region; meaning depends on the dataset (e.g., residual income regions vs appraisal regions). |
| region_code | Region code | Text (enum) | SOUTH | Residual income | Machine-friendly region label. See each dataset’s glossary for allowed values. |
Loan limits & entitlement fields
Fields used on the loan limits and entitlement / guaranty tools.
| Field name | Label | Type / unit | Example | Used in | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| limit_year | Loan limit year | Integer | 2026 | Loan limits | Calendar year corresponding to FHFA conforming limit release. |
| units | Number of units | Integer | 1 | Loan limits | Property unit count used to select the correct limit (1–4 units). |
| loan_limit_1_unit | 1-unit loan limit | USD | 766550 | Loan limits | FHFA conforming limit for 1-unit properties in the county and year. |
| loan_limit_2_unit | 2-unit loan limit | USD | 981500 | Loan limits | Conforming limit for 2-unit properties. Same source as 1-unit limit. |
| high_cost_flag | High-cost area flag | Boolean / 0–1 | 1 | Loan limits | Indicates whether county uses a high-cost (above-baseline) limit for the year. |
| baseline_limit | Baseline national limit | USD | 766550 | Loan limits | National baseline conforming limit for that year; same for all counties. |
| total_entitlement_available | Total entitlement available | USD | 161550 | Entitlement | Sum of basic + bonus entitlement available at the time of calculation. |
| entitlement_used | Entitlement already used | USD | 80000 | Entitlement | Entitlement tied up in existing or prior VA loans not yet fully restored. |
| guaranty_percent | Guaranty percentage | Percent | 25 | Entitlement, loan limits | Target VA guaranty as a percentage of loan amount (often 25%). |
| guaranty_amount | Guaranty amount | USD | 100000 | Entitlement | VA guaranty implied by entitlement and loan amount; used to test 25% coverage. |
| required_down_payment | Required down payment | USD | 12500 | Entitlement, loan limits | Estimated minimum down payment needed to reach the target guaranty coverage when partial entitlement is used. |
Funding fee & closing-cost fields
Fields used for funding fee, seller concessions, and allowable-fee datasets.
| Field name | Label | Type / unit | Example | Used in | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| loan_purpose | Loan purpose | Text (enum) | Purchase | Funding fee, seller concessions | Purpose category such as Purchase, IRRRL, Cash‑out, or Manufactured Home. |
| service_category | Service category | Text (enum) | Regular Military | Funding fee | Groupings like Regular Military, Reserve / National Guard, other eligible Veteran categories if needed. |
| first_use_flag | First-use flag | Boolean / 0–1 | 1 | Funding fee | Indicates whether VA considers the scenario “first use” vs “subsequent use” for funding fee purposes. |
| irrrl_flag | IRRRL flag | Boolean / 0–1 | 0 | Funding fee | Marks Interest Rate Reduction Refinance Loans, which have special funding fee treatment. |
| down_payment_percent | Down payment percent | Percent | 5 | Funding fee | Borrower’s down payment as a percentage of the purchase price; determines the fee tier for some purposes. |
| funding_fee_rate | Funding fee rate | Percent | 1.4 | Funding fee | Funding fee percentage used to calculate the fee amount when the Veteran is not exempt. |
| funding_fee_amount | Funding fee amount | USD | 5600 | Funding fee calculator | Calculated fee in dollars, based on loan amount, purpose, use, and exemptions. |
| funding_fee_exempt_flag | Funding fee exempt | Boolean / 0–1 | 1 | Funding fee | True when the Veteran is exempt (for example, due to qualifying disability compensation or surviving spouse status). |
| fee_financed_flag | Fee financed flag | Boolean / 0–1 | 1 | Funding fee | Marks whether the funding fee is financed into the loan amount vs paid in cash at closing. |
| seller_concessions_percent | Seller concessions percent | Percent (of cap basis) | 3.5 | Seller concessions | Counted concessions as a percentage of the cap basis. Cap basis is typically the VA Notice of Value (reasonable value); some lenders apply a conservative “lower of purchase price vs NOV” basis. |
| seller_concessions_cap_percent | Seller concessions cap | Percent (of cap basis) | 4 | Seller concessions | The VA seller concession cap percentage (typically 4%) applied to the cap basis (usually NOV reasonable value; some lenders apply a conservative lower-of price vs NOV rule). |
| non_allowable_fees_amount | Non-allowable fees | USD | 750 | Allowable fees | Estimated amount of fees that VA does not permit the Veteran to pay directly; may be shifted to seller or lender. |
Property, appraisal & MPR fields
Fields used on appraisal fee schedules, condo lookup, and minimum property requirement tools.
| Field name | Label | Type / unit | Example | Used in | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| property_type | Property type | Text (enum) | Single-family | Appraisal fees, MPR | High-level property category (single-family, condo, manufactured home, multi‑unit, etc.). |
| appraisal_region_code | Appraisal region code | Text (enum) | TX-01 | Appraisal fees | Locality grouping used by VA to define max fees and timeliness for certain areas. |
| appraisal_fee_max | Maximum appraisal fee | USD | 800 | Appraisal fees | Maximum fee VA guidance allows for an appraisal in the region, property type, and time period. |
| appraisal_timeline_purchase_days | Purchase timeline | Days | 10 | Appraisal fees | Timeliness standard (business days) for purchase appraisals in the region and property type. |
| condo_project_id | Condo project ID | Text / ID | VA123456 | Condo lookup | Identifier used in VA condo tools. Display purposes only on this site, not a substitute for LGY access. |
| condo_status | Condo status | Text (enum) | Accepted | Condo lookup | High-level status such as Accepted, Rejected, or Expired, based on VA condo approval records. |
| mpr_category | MPR category | Text (enum) | Safety | MPR checklist | Top‑level bucket for minimum property requirements (e.g., Safety, Structural, Utilities, Access). |
| mpr_subcategory | MPR subcategory | Text | Roof & coverings | MPR checklist | More detailed grouping inside a category (e.g., “Peeling paint,” “Handrails,” “Heating system”). |
| mpr_code | MPR code | Text / code | SAF-ROOF-01 | MPR checklist | Structured code representing a specific MPR item; useful for tracking or analytics across reports. |
| mpr_required_flag | MPR required flag | Boolean / 0–1 | 1 | MPR checklist | Identifies whether the condition must be fixed for standard VA eligibility, as opposed to being discretionary or cosmetic. |
State Veteran benefits & local overlay fields
Fields used on the state benefits and local requirement datasets.
| Field name | Label | Type / unit | Example | Used in | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| state_benefit_category | Benefit category | Text (enum) | Property tax relief | State Veteran benefits | Grouping such as Property tax, Education, Housing grants, Licensing, or Other benefits for Veterans. |
| property_tax_exemption_flag | Property tax exemption flag | Boolean / 0–1 | 1 | State Veteran benefits | Indicates whether the state offers at least one property tax exemption or reduction program for qualifying Veterans. |
| property_tax_exemption_summary | Property tax exemption summary | Text | Full exemption for 100% disabled Veterans on primary residence, with caps. | State Veteran benefits | Short description of the main Veteran-focused property tax program; always verify thresholds with the state source link. |
| homebuyer_program_flag | Homebuyer program flag | Boolean / 0–1 | 1 | State Veteran benefits | Indicates whether the state publishes at least one Veteran‑targeted homebuyer or housing assistance program. |
| benefit_url | Benefit source URL | URL | https://example.gov/veteran-benefits | State Veteran benefits | Primary state or agency page where the described Veteran benefit is documented. |
| local_overlay_category | Overlay category | Text (enum) | Water quality | Local requirements | High‑level grouping for local requirements affecting VA transactions (e.g., Water quality, Septic, Well, Pest). |
| local_overlay_scope | Overlay scope | Text (enum) | Statewide | Local requirements | Whether the overlay applies statewide, to specific counties, or to defined zones within a state. |
| local_overlay_summary | Overlay summary | Text | Water test required for private wells prior to VA closing; see state circular for specifics. | Local requirements | Plain‑language description of the overlay so agents and lenders can understand how it impacts a VA transaction. |
Important
State and local benefit descriptions are summaries only. Always use the linked state or local source to confirm current eligibility rules and thresholds.
Citation & references
How to credit this dictionary and the official resources it is built on.
VA Loan Network. “VA Loan Data Dictionary (Field Definitions & Codes).” Updated Dec 11, 2026. https://valoannetwork.com/va-loans/data/entitlement/dictionary/
Key official references used across datasets
- VA Lender’s Handbook / VA Pamphlet 26‑7 (WARMS) — underwriting tables and MPR guidance.
Open handbook index - VA.gov — funding fee charts, closing cost rules, and general VA loan guidance.
Open VA home loan overview - FHFA — conforming loan limits and county limit data used for VA loan limit tools.
Open FHFA conforming loan limit data - VA Construction & Valuation resources — appraisal fee schedules and timeliness standards.
Open VA CV page - State Veteran agencies — property tax relief and benefit programs summarized in the state benefits dataset.
Frequently Asked Questions
Short answers about how to work with VA Loan Network field names and CSVs.
What is the VA Loan Network data dictionary?
It is the central reference for every key field we use, so analysts, lenders, and AI tools can interpret our datasets consistently and correctly.
Do field names in your datasets ever change?
Very rarely. If a rename is unavoidable, we document it here, update the CSVs, and, where possible, keep a backward‑compatible alias.
What does the “_flag” suffix mean?
It usually marks a Boolean field—stored as true/false or 1/0—with the exact meaning explained in the notes for that field.
Can I join multiple datasets together?
Yes. Common join keys include state_code, county_fips, and limit_year. This dictionary shows which datasets share each of those fields.
How should I treat blanks or null values?
Blanks generally mean “not applicable” or “no data published.” The notes column explains the intent so you can choose an appropriate default.
Can I rely on this instead of reading VA or FHFA documents?
Use this as your quick reference, but always confirm rule changes or edge cases against the official VA or FHFA source pages we link to.
Do you include HMDA or lender‑specific fields here?
This dictionary covers VA Loan Network’s public datasets. If we add HMDA-derived or lender‑level fields later, they will be defined here.
Are your field names safe to embed in my own tools?
Yes. You can reuse our names and definitions with attribution. They are designed to be stable for long‑term integrations.
How do you handle changes in official rules over time?
Fields like effective_date and dataset_version mark when values change. That lets you filter or compare data before and after a rule change.
What if a field definition seems wrong or incomplete?
Reach out via the contact page with the field name, dataset, and your concern. We’ll investigate and update this dictionary if needed.
Created by: Levi Rodgers
Validated by: Kenneth Schwartz, Senior Loan Officer NMLS#1001095
Last updated