VA Home Loan Requirements for Active Military Members

If you’re an active-duty military member planning on using a VA home loan to buy a new house, there are a few distinct qualifications you’ll need to satisfy before you can get approved for the loan. These qualifications are the same no matter which branch of the military you’re currently serving in.

VA Home Loans: Requirements for Active Military

Any active military member must meet the following requirements when applying for a VA home loan.

You Must Serve for at Least 181 Days

Every active-duty military member applying for a VA home loan must have served at least 181 days on consistent active duty. If you’re not quite there yet, it’s best to consider waiting to buy a house until you qualify. You’ll likely get a better rate on the VA loan than you would a traditional mortgage.

The House Must Be Your Primary Residence

No matter what type of home you’re planning to buy, be it a lot at a mobile home park or a stand-alone house, you must plan on using the house as your primary residence. This means you can’t use a VA home loan to buy a vacation house or a property you plan to rent out.

You Have to Live in the House for at Least Half a Year

To qualify for a VA home loan, you also have to plan to live in the house for at least 183 days or more than half the year. If you’re deployed, your spouse or other family member can satisfy that requirement on your behalf. You must also move into that new home within 60 days of closing on the house. Again, this is to prove that you’re using the home as a permanent residence, not an investment property.

You Must Provide a Certificate of Eligibility (C.O.E.)

Before you can proceed with the loan application, you’ll need to provide a C.O.E. showing that you meet the requirements for a VA home loan. You’ll also need to provide a Statement of Service from your commanding officer showing that you are an active-duty member of the military.

Once you have these things in place, you’ll be ready and able to apply for a VA home loan to get you into a house of your own.