VA Loans in Northern Virginia & the DMV
A VA loan lets eligible veterans and service members buy with 0% down and no monthly mortgage insurance, with no loan limit when you have full entitlement. Most first-time users pay a one-time 2.15% funding fee, usually added to the loan; veterans receiving VA disability compensation pay none.
Our dedicated VA Loan department works with veterans and military families across Northern Virginia and the DC area.
0%
Down Payment Required
Qualified veterans can finance 100% of the purchase price.
$0
Private Mortgage Insurance
VA loans never require PMI — saving you $100–$300/mo vs conventional.
Reusable
Lifetime Benefit
Your VA loan benefit isn't a one-time use — it restores after payoff or can run concurrently.
No limit
With Full Entitlement
Borrow as much as you qualify for with 0% down — no county loan limit.
At a glance
VA loan key facts
| VA loan | |
|---|---|
| Down payment | 0% for eligible borrowers with full entitlement |
| Monthly mortgage insurance | None |
| Funding fee | 2.15% on a first use with under 5% down, usually added to the loan; $0 for veterans receiving VA disability compensation |
| Loan limit | None with full entitlement; the county conforming limit applies with reduced entitlement |
| Seller concessions | Up to 4% of the price, plus normal closing costs |
| Appraisal | VA appraisal against the VA's Minimum Property Requirements |
| Property | Your primary home, 1–4 units |
Funding fee
VA funding fee
The funding fee is a one-time charge, a percentage of the loan, that keeps the VA program running. It is usually added to the loan. The rate depends on your down payment and whether you've used the benefit before.
| Down payment | First use | Used before |
|---|---|---|
| Less than 5% | 2.15% | 3.3% |
| 5% to 9.99% | 1.5% | 1.5% |
| 10% or more | 1.25% | 1.25% |
You pay no funding fee if you receive VA compensation for a service-connected disability, are a surviving spouse receiving Dependency and Indemnity Compensation, or are an active-duty Purple Heart recipient.
Entitlement
Entitlement and VA loan limits
Entitlement is the part of your loan the VA guarantees. With full entitlement there is no loan limit: you can borrow as much as you qualify for with 0% down. You have full entitlement if you've never used the benefit, or used it and paid the loan off.
With reduced entitlement (part of it still tied to a VA loan you haven't paid off), the county conforming limit sets how much you can borrow with 0% down. Above that, you put down 25% of the difference.
Example: Fairfax County
- 2026 county limit: $1,249,125
- Entitlement available: 25% × $1,249,125 = $312,281
- Still tied to a $200,000 VA loan: 25% × $200,000 = $50,000
- Remaining entitlement: $262,281
- Largest loan with 0% down: 4 × $262,281 = $1,049,125
- Buying at $1,150,000: down payment = 25% × ($1,150,000 − $1,049,125) = $25,219
| County | Conforming limit (1 unit) |
|---|---|
| Fairfax County, VA | $1,249,125 |
| Arlington County, VA | $1,249,125 |
| Alexandria, VA | $1,249,125 |
| Loudoun County, VA | $1,249,125 |
| Prince William County, VA | $1,249,125 |
| Stafford County, VA | $1,249,125 |
| Washington, DC | $1,249,125 |
| Montgomery County, MD | $1,249,125 |
| Prince George's County, MD | $1,249,125 |
| Frederick County, MD | $1,249,125 |
Today
VA rates by credit score
| Credit score | Rate | APR | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 640 | 6.250% | 6.665% | 1.822 |
| 680 | 6.250% | 6.645% | 1.622 |
| 720 | 6.000% | 6.468% | 2.409 |
30-year fixed VA purchase, $375,000 home in Virginia, 0% down, primary home. Rates as of October 29, 2026.
Example
What a VA loan costs
| 680 credit score | Example |
|---|---|
| Home price | $375,000 |
| Down payment | $0 (0%) |
| VA funding fee (added to loan) | $8,062 |
| Loan amount | $383,062 |
| Rate / APR | 6.250% / 6.645% |
| Points | 1.622 ($6,083) |
| Principal & interest | $2,359/mo |
| Monthly mortgage insurance | $0 |
| Total before taxes & insurance | $2,359/mo |
30-year fixed purchase in Virginia, primary home. Rates as of October 29, 2026.
At Northern Virginia prices
| Home price | Loan with funding fee | Principal & interest |
|---|---|---|
| $500,000 | $510,750 | $3,145/mo |
| $650,000 | $663,975 | $4,088/mo |
| $800,000 | $817,200 | $5,032/mo |
0% down, first use, 30-year fixed at 6.250% (680 credit, as of October 29, 2026). Taxes and insurance not included.
Appraisal
VA appraisal and property requirements
The VA assigns an independent appraiser, who sets the value and checks the home against the VA's Minimum Property Requirements (MPRs). The result is a Notice of Value.
- Safe, structurally sound and sanitary
- Working heat, safe drinking water and sewage disposal
- Electrical and plumbing in working order
- A roof with remaining life and no active leaks
- No peeling paint on homes built before 1978
- Safe access to the home from a street
Cosmetic issues like worn carpet don't fail an appraisal. If the value comes in low, the appraiser must let the lender send more sales data first (the Tidewater process), and the VA escape clause lets you renegotiate or walk away with your earnest money.
By location
Where we write VA loans
Local VA loan expertise across Northern Virginia. More markets across MD, WV, PA & beyond coming soon.
Fairfax County, VA
VA loans in Fairfax County →
Loudoun County, VA
VA loans in Loudoun County →
Prince William County, VA
VA loans in Prince William County →
Arlington, VA
VA loans in Arlington →
Alexandria, VA
VA loans in Alexandria →
Stafford County, VA
VA loans in Stafford County →
Montgomery County, MD
VA loans in Montgomery County →
Frederick County, MD
VA loans in Frederick County →
Prince George's County, MD
VA loans in Prince George's County →
Jefferson County, WV
VA loans in Jefferson County →
Berkeley County, WV
VA loans in Berkeley County →
VA loan questions
Who is eligible for a VA loan?
Veterans, active-duty service members, and National Guard and Reserve members who meet the VA's service requirements, plus some surviving spouses. Eligibility is confirmed with a Certificate of Eligibility (COE), which we can request for you.
How much is the VA funding fee?
On a purchase it is 2.15% of the loan for a first use with less than 5% down and 3.3% if you've used the benefit before. With 5% down it is 1.5%, and with 10% down 1.25%, for any use. It is usually added to the loan.
Who doesn't pay the VA funding fee?
Veterans receiving VA compensation for a service-connected disability, surviving spouses receiving Dependency and Indemnity Compensation, and active-duty Purple Heart recipients. The exemption shows on your COE.
Is there a VA loan limit?
Not with full entitlement: you can borrow as much as you qualify for with 0% down. With reduced entitlement (part of it still tied to another VA loan), the county conforming limit sets how much you can borrow with no down payment.
What does a VA appraisal check?
Value, and the VA's Minimum Property Requirements: the home must be safe, structurally sound and sanitary, with working heat, water and electrical systems, a roof with remaining life and safe access. Cosmetic issues don't fail an appraisal.
What happens if the VA appraisal comes in low?
The appraiser must give the lender a chance to send more sales data before finalizing a low value (the Tidewater process). If the value stays low you can renegotiate the price, pay the difference in cash, or walk away with your earnest money under the VA escape clause.
Can the seller pay my closing costs on a VA loan?
Yes. The seller can pay your normal closing costs, plus up to 4% of the price in concessions such as prepaid taxes and insurance, paying off debts, or the funding fee.
Can I use my VA loan benefit more than once?
Yes. Entitlement is restored when you sell and pay off a VA loan, and with remaining entitlement you can have more than one VA loan at a time.
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