Skip to content
Mortgage Payment
Envelope Facebook Twitter Linkedin Instagram
Search
Find a Branch
  • Home Page
  • Locations
  • Pick Your Mortgage
    • BuyAHome
    • SaveMoney
    • UseMyVABenefits
    • BuyBig
    • Remodel
    • HelpWithDownPayment
    • RuralHousing
    • CreditChallenged
    • RetireComfortably
  • Loan Options
    • TRADITIONAL PROGRAMS
    • Purchase
    • Refinance
    • Conventional Loan
    • FHA Loan
    • VA Loan
    • Jumbo Loan

    • SPECIALTY PRODUCTS
    • Home Select
    • Portfolio Lending
    • FHA Approved Condos
    • FHA No Credit Score
    • Reverse Mortgage
    • HERO Loan
    • USDA Loan
    • USDA Renovation
    • Physician Loan
    • Renovation Loan
    • HELOC
    • Self Employed
    • Down Payment Assistance Loans
    • First Time Home Buyers
    • Credit Challenged
    • Fixed vs. Adjustable Rate Mortgages
    • Arrive Home Program
  • Apply now
    • Long Form
    • Short Form
  • Resources
    • Mortgage News
    • Geneva AMP
    • Mortgage Payment
    • Login to My Loan
    • Mortgage Calculators
    • Homebuyers Guide
    • Mortgage FAQ
    • Today’s Rates
    • Mortgage Terms Defined
  • Home By Geneva
  • Careers
    • Branch & LO Opportunity
    • Operations
  • Our Story
    • About Geneva Financial
    • Leadership Team
    • Press Releases
    • Contact Us
    • Be A Good Human
    • Human Stories
    • Client Reviews
  • Home Page
  • Locations
  • Pick Your Mortgage
    • BuyAHome
    • SaveMoney
    • UseMyVABenefits
    • BuyBig
    • Remodel
    • HelpWithDownPayment
    • RuralHousing
    • CreditChallenged
    • RetireComfortably
  • Loan Options
    • TRADITIONAL PROGRAMS
    • Purchase
    • Refinance
    • Conventional Loan
    • FHA Loan
    • VA Loan
    • Jumbo Loan

    • SPECIALTY PRODUCTS
    • Home Select
    • Portfolio Lending
    • FHA Approved Condos
    • FHA No Credit Score
    • Reverse Mortgage
    • HERO Loan
    • USDA Loan
    • USDA Renovation
    • Physician Loan
    • Renovation Loan
    • HELOC
    • Self Employed
    • Down Payment Assistance Loans
    • First Time Home Buyers
    • Credit Challenged
    • Fixed vs. Adjustable Rate Mortgages
    • Arrive Home Program
  • Apply now
    • Long Form
    • Short Form
  • Resources
    • Mortgage News
    • Geneva AMP
    • Mortgage Payment
    • Login to My Loan
    • Mortgage Calculators
    • Homebuyers Guide
    • Mortgage FAQ
    • Today’s Rates
    • Mortgage Terms Defined
  • Home By Geneva
  • Careers
    • Branch & LO Opportunity
    • Operations
  • Our Story
    • About Geneva Financial
    • Leadership Team
    • Press Releases
    • Contact Us
    • Be A Good Human
    • Human Stories
    • Client Reviews

Are VA Loans Legit?

Home>>Mortgage News>> Are VA Loans Legit?

Short Answer: Yes. VA Loans are legitimate and a great way to secure housing if you have served our country. 

However, According to recent data, VA loans are often overlooked in comparison to conventional loan funding. 

Some veterans are finding it difficult to obtain a home in today’s market. According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR):

“Conventional conforming mortgages (mortgages that conform to guidelines set by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac), accounted for 74% of mortgages obtained by homebuyers in May 2021, an increase from about 65% during 2018 through 2019…The share of VA-guaranteed loans has also decreased to 7% in May 2021 from about 10% in past years.”

Are VA Loans Legit?

Why does this happen? 

Well, unfortunately, there are some caveats to VA financing. To learn more about VA financing options click here. If you are a veteran we want to ensure you are getting the most out of your benefits. However, there is nothing in the VA loan process that makes it lesser than conventional loan financing. 

As a seller, it’s important to consider every offer in front of you regardless of loan type. If you’re selecting an offer because some contingencies are waived, keep in mind that it doesn’t always mean the offer is what’s best for you.

Buyers who can’t waive specific contingencies may adjust other terms in their offer to make it more appealing to sellers. This may depend on several factors, including their loan type and location, but a motivated buyer and their agent will do everything they can to present an offer that’s as appealing to you as possible.

Ultimately, you should make sure you take time to really understand the terms of their offer and see the big picture. Working with a driven buyer who’s motivated to purchase your house may provide a better opportunity for you to reach your overall best option and what’s most important to you.

As a realtor, it’s important for you to ensure that your clients are considering each and every offer that comes in. VA Financing is just as sound as any other financing. You should take pride in helping veterans obtain the home of their dreams.

As a veteran, you should know that a VA Loan is a great option for you. Often times VA loans can lock you into a lower mortgage rate in comparison to other loan options. VA Loans typically require a lower down payment as well. To read more about VA Loans click here

In order to qualify for a VA loan, the following must be true:

  • Qualify for a VA-backed home loan Certificate of Eligibility (COE)
  • Meet the designated standards for credit, income, and any other requirements
  • Will live in the home you’re buying with the loan

What is a VA Loan?

A VA Loan is a home loan that is backed by Veteran Affairs. There are several loan types available to those who meet the qualifications.

VA Home Loan Benefits:

  • No down payment as long as the sales price isn’t higher than the home’s appraised value
  • Competitive terms and interest rates  than other loan types
  • No VA Loan Limit (for more information regarding VA Loan Limits please click here)
  • No need for private mortgage insurance (PMI) or mortgage insurance premiums (MIP)
    • PMI is a type of insurance that protects the lender if you end up not being able to pay your mortgage. It’s usually required on conventional loans if you make a down payment of less than 20% of the total mortgage amount.
    • MIP is what the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) requires you to pay to self-insure an FHA loan against future loss.
  • Fewer closing costs, which may be paid by the seller
  • No penalty fee if you pay the loan off early

If you qualify for a VA-backed purchase loan, you can use the loan to:

  • Buy a single-family home, up to 4 units
  • Buy a condo in a VA-approved project
  • Buy a home and improve it
  • Buy a manufactured home or lot
  • Build a new home
  • Make changes or add new features (like solar power) to make your home more energy efficient

You can also:

  • Get a VA-backed home loan to buy your first home
  • Use your VA loan benefit to obtain a secondary loan
  • Assume a VA-backed home loan (which means that instead of opening a new mortgage loan, the buyer takes over the seller’s loan)

What other loan types are available to veterans?

If you currently have a VA loan and are looking to reduce your monthly payment amount or change the terms of your mortgage a VA IRRRL may be right for you.

VA IRRRL (interest rate reduction refinance)

In order to qualify for a VA IRRRL, the following must be true:

  • Already have a VA-backed home loan
  • Are using the IRRRL to refinance your existing VA-backed home loan
  • Can certify that you currently live in or used to live in the home covered by the loan

What are the benefits of a VA IRRRL? You may be able to:

  • Lower your monthly mortgage payment by getting you a lower interest rate
  • Make your monthly payments more stable by moving from a loan with an adjustable or variable interest rate (an interest rate that changes over time) to one that’s fixed (the same interest rate over the life of the loan)

Cash-Out Refinance

If you currently have an existing VA Loan and are looking to take cash-out for home renovation projects, education funds, consolidating debt, or other reasons, a cash-out refinance may be for you.

A VA Cash-Out Refinance may help you to:

  • Take cash out of your home equity to pay off debt, pay for school, make home improvements, or take care of other needs
  • Refinance a non-VA loan into a VA-backed loan

In order to obtain a cashout refinance out the following must be true:

  • Qualify for a VA-backed home loan Certificate of Eligibility
  • Meet VA’s and the lender’s standards for credit, income, and any other requirements
  • Will live in the home you’re refinancing with the loan

At Geneva, we take pride in our ability to help those who have served our country. Curious to see what your loan payment could look like? Try our interactive mortgage calculator below:

House Payment Calculator:

GET A RATE QUOTE

FIND A LICENSED MORTGAGE LOAN OFFICER

Conventional Loans

Refinance

FHA Loans

USDA Loans

Jumbo Loans

Reverse Mortgage

Homes for Heroes & First Responder Mortgages

Doctor Loans

First-Time Homebuyers

Down Payment Assistance

FHA Condo

Renovation Loans

Arizona Programs

Share:

More Human Stories

Chicken Mole Nachos

Chicken Mole Nachos

Spice up your summer watchlist with Chicken Mole

Smiling young couple buyers shake and get acquainted greet with relator or broker at office meeting. Happy man and woman clients handshake close deal or make agreement with real estate agent.

Don’t Let Student Loans Hold You Back from Homeownership

Did you know? According to a recent study, 72% of

Polaroid Now+ Instant Camera

Capture creativity and nostalgia with the Polaroid Now+

budget friendly summer travel ideas

Budget-Friendly Summer Travel Ideas

Home By Geneva>Budget-Friendly Summer Travel Ideas Stretch your

Rapid Rate Quote

PrevPreviousWhy It Just Became Much Easier To Buy a Home
NextWhat Is A Conventional Loan?Next

Find a Branch

Mortgage Calculator

Homebuyer's Guide

Get Today's Rates

Apply for a Mortgage or Refinance

Loan Programs

Mortgage Terms Defined

Login to an Existing Mortgage Loan

Careers

Contact Us
  • 180 S. Arizona Ave Ste 310 Chandler, AZ 85225
  • (888) 889 - 0009
  • humansupport@genevafi.com

Your Mortgage Options

  • Apply Now
  • Mortgage Payment
  • Find a Licensed Loan Officer
  • Check Today’s Rates
  • Mortgage Calculator
  • Homebuyer Mortgage Guide

Geneva Goodies

  • Branch Manager and Loan Officer Opportunities
  • Home by Geneva - Home Design & Lifestyle
  • Geneva Gives

Geneva Financial offers Conventional, FHA, VA, USDA, Refinance, Reverse, Jumbo and Condo Financing as well as Down Payment Assistance Programs, First-Time Homebuyer Programs, Physician Loans and Hero Loans for First Responders, Police, Firefighters, Nurses, and Teachers.

Geneva Financial LLC, Copyright © 2025
NMLS #42056 | BK #0910215 | MA #ML42056 | CA #603G564
Privacy | Legal Disclaimer | An Equal Housing Lender | All Rights Reserved
  • Site Accessibility
  • Communication Opt Out
  • Disclosures and Licenses
  • Terms of Use
  • Security and Privacy
  • Email and Text Policy
  • Do Not Sell My Personal Information
  • Site Accessibility
  • Communication Opt Out
  • Disclosures and Licenses
  • Terms of Use
  • Security and Privacy
  • Email and Text Policy
  • Do Not Sell My Personal Information
We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
Do not sell my personal information.
Cookie settingsACCEPT
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
CookieDurationDescription
cookielawinfo-checbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytics
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
Others
Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.
SAVE & ACCEPT

Quick Rate Quote