What Is a VA Loan?

A Veteran Affairs (VA) loan is a mortgage loan available through a program established by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs. VA loans assist service members, veterans and eligible surviving spouses to become homeowners. The VA sets the qualifying standards, dictates the terms of the mortgages offered and guarantees a portion of the loan. VA home loans are provided by private lenders, such as banks and mortgage companies.

The Veterans Administration offers a home loan guaranty benefit and other housing-related programs to help qualified veterans or their eligible surviving spouses buy, build, repair, retain or adapt a home for personal occupancy. VA loans offer up to 100% financing on the value of a home. VA loan recipients do not have to be first-time home buyers. Also, they may reuse the benefits and assign the loan to another qualifying person.