VA Loans in Maryland & Virginia: 0% Down Homebuying for Veterans in 2026

If you served in the military, you have access to the best mortgage program in the country — and most veterans in Maryland and Virginia never use it. The VA loan requires no down payment, charges no monthly mortgage insurance, and has the most forgiving credit guidelines of any mainstream loan. For a buyer in the DC Metro Area, where home prices regularly top $450,000, that combination can be the difference between renting for another three years and owning this year.

What Is a VA Loan?

A VA loan is a mortgage backed by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. The VA doesn't lend the money — it guarantees a portion of the loan, which lets approved lenders offer terms no other program can match: 0% down, no mortgage insurance, and competitive rates that are typically lower than conventional or FHA pricing.

With 30-year rates hovering around 6.7–6.8% nationally in September 2026, VA rates consistently run 0.25–0.5% below comparable conventional rates — which compounds into real savings over the life of the loan.

Who Qualifies for a VA Loan in Maryland & Virginia

VA loan eligibility is based on service. You generally qualify if you fall into one of these categories:

• Served 90+ active days during wartime or 181+ continuous active days during peacetime
• Served 6 years in the National Guard or Reserves
• Are the unmarried surviving spouse of a service member who died in the line of duty or from a service-connected disability
• Received a discharge other than dishonorable (some other-than-honorable discharges may still qualify on review)

Eligibility is confirmed with a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) from the VA. We pull this for you — you don't have to navigate the VA portal on your own.

VA Loan Requirements in 2026

The VA Funding Fee, Explained

Instead of monthly mortgage insurance, the VA charges a one-time funding fee at closing. For a first-time use with 0% down in 2026, the fee is 2.15% of the loan amount. It can be rolled into the loan — you don't pay it out of pocket.

The fee drops if you put money down:

Veterans with a service-connected disability rating of 10% or higher are completely exempt from the funding fee — meaning a truly zero-cost-in, zero-down loan. We confirm your exemption status when we pull your COE.

VA vs. FHA vs. Conventional: How They Compare

Common VA Loan Myths in the DMV

"VA loans are slow and sellers won't accept them."

Not true in 2026. VA loans close in about the same 30-day window as conventional loans. The old stigma around VA appraisals has faded as the DMV market has normalized. A clean pre-approval from a broker with VA-specialized lenders makes your offer competitive.

"You can only use a VA loan once."

False. Your VA entitlement restores after you sell or refinance the property, so you can use the benefit repeatedly across your life — including for a larger loan as your entitlement grows.

"VA loans are only for first-time buyers."

There is no first-time buyer requirement. You can use a VA loan for your next home, a move-up purchase, or to refinance your current home.

How to Apply for a VA Loan in Maryland or Virginia

1. 1Free consultation — we review your service history, credit, and target price range
2. 2We pull your Certificate of Eligibility directly from the VA
3. 3Pre-approval — usually within 24 hours of receiving your documents
4. 4House hunting — your VA pre-approval letter works with any agent in MD or VA
5. 5Underwriting with a VA-specialized lender from our network
6. 6Closing — typically 30 days, with 0% down and no mortgage insurance

You served. The VA loan benefit exists because of that service, and too many veterans in Maryland and Virginia leave it on the table because they assume 0% down is too good to be true. It isn't — it's the program. Let's see what you qualify for, at no cost to you.