For Veterans & Active Duty
A home loan benefit you earned
VA loans let eligible veterans, active-duty service members, and surviving spouses buy a home with 0% down and no monthly mortgage insurance. Here's what the benefit actually covers.
Proudly Serving
Every branch, every era of service
Stallion Loans, Inc is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Department of Defense, or any branch of the U.S. Armed Forces.
The Benefit
What makes a VA loan different
0% Down for Most Buyers
VA loans can finance up to 100% of the home's value for eligible veterans with full entitlement — no down payment required in most cases.
No Monthly Mortgage Insurance
Unlike conventional or FHA loans, VA loans never charge monthly PMI, regardless of your down payment. That alone can save hundreds a month.
One-Time Funding Fee, Not Monthly
In place of ongoing mortgage insurance, VA loans use a one-time funding fee, which can be financed into the loan. Veterans receiving VA disability compensation are exempt.
Streamline Refinance (IRRRL)
Already have a VA loan? An Interest Rate Reduction Refinance Loan can lower your rate with reduced documentation, often without a new appraisal or credit qualification.
No VA-Imposed Loan Limit
VA does not cap how much you can borrow. For veterans with full entitlement, there's no maximum loan amount from VA itself — lender and secondary-market limits still apply.
Lenient Credit Standards
VA does not set a minimum credit score — that's determined by individual lenders. Some past credit issues, including certain bankruptcies, don't automatically disqualify you.
Am I Eligible?
Service requirements at a glance
Eligibility is determined by the VA and documented on a Certificate of Eligibility (COE). These are the general paths to qualifying — we'll help you pull your COE either way.
Active Duty
90 days of active service during wartime, or 181 continuous days during peacetime (for those who entered service before Sept. 7, 1980, or as an officer before Oct. 16, 1981).
More Recent Service
Generally 24 continuous months of active duty, or the full period called to active duty (minimum 90 days wartime / 181 days peacetime), for those who enlisted after the dates above.
Reserves & National Guard
6 years of service, or being called to active duty for a qualifying period, can establish eligibility.
Surviving Spouses
Unmarried surviving spouses of veterans who died in service or from a service-connected disability may also be eligible for the home loan benefit.
FAQ
Common questions
Do I need a down payment for a VA loan? +
In most cases, no. Veterans with full entitlement can finance up to 100% of the home's value. A down payment is only required if the purchase price exceeds the home's appraised value, or in a few other specific situations.
What is the VA funding fee? +
A one-time fee paid to the VA to help sustain the loan program, in place of ongoing monthly mortgage insurance. It varies based on your type of service, whether it's your first or a subsequent use of the benefit, and your down payment. Veterans receiving VA compensation for a service-connected disability, along with some other categories, are exempt from paying it.
What is a Certificate of Eligibility (COE)? +
Your COE is the document that proves to a lender that you meet the VA's service requirements for the home loan benefit. We can help you obtain it as part of the application process.
What is an IRRRL? +
An Interest Rate Reduction Refinance Loan is VA's streamline refinance option for veterans who already have a VA loan. It's designed to lower your rate or move you from an adjustable to a fixed rate, with significantly less documentation than a standard refinance.
Do I have to live in the home? +
Yes — VA loans are for primary residences. You're generally expected to occupy the home within 60 days of closing. Exceptions exist for active-duty service members who are deployed, whose spouse can satisfy the occupancy requirement instead.
Get Started
Choose your loan officer to apply
Applying takes you to our secure application portal, where you'll create an account and complete your application directly with the loan officer you choose below.
Ashley Woods
Sr. Loan Officer
NMLS #2190543
864-567-8802
ashley.woods@stallionloans.com
Not sure who to choose? Contact us and we'll match you with the right person.