Are you a veteran, active-duty service member, or eligible surviving spouse looking to buy a home? If so, you may be eligible for a VA home loan. One of the most common questions that borrowers ask is, “How much do I qualify for?”
Understanding VA Home Loans
VA home loans are a type of mortgage loan that is available to qualifying veterans, active-duty service members, and eligible surviving spouses. These loans are guaranteed by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and are designed to help veterans buy, build, or improve a home.
One of the benefits of a VA home loan is that you can buy a home with zero down payment. Additionally, VA home loans generally have more lenient credit and income requirements compared to other types of loans.
VA Home Loan Eligibility
Before you can determine how much you qualify for, you need to make sure you are eligible for a VA home loan. To be eligible, you must meet at least one of the following criteria:
- You are a veteran who served on active duty and was discharged under conditions other than dishonorable.
- You are an active-duty service member who has served for a certain period of time (minimum of 90 days during wartime or 181 days during peacetime).
- You are an eligible surviving spouse of a veteran who died as a result of a service-related disability or while on active duty.
Once you have determined that you are eligible for a VA home loan, you can start the process of applying for a loan.
How Much Can You Borrow?
The amount of money you can borrow with a VA home loan depends on a few factors, including your income, credit score, and the value of the property you want to purchase.
The VA does not set a maximum loan amount, but it does limit the amount it will guarantee. The current maximum guarantee amount for a VA home loan is $548,250 (as of 2021).
Your lender will also have its own requirements and limits on how much it will lend you. Generally, lenders will look at your debt-to-income ratio (DTI) to determine how much you can afford to borrow.
Calculating Your DTI
Your DTI is a measure of how much of your monthly income goes toward paying your debts. To calculate your DTI, add up all your monthly debt payments (including any credit cards, car loans, or student loans) and divide it by your gross monthly income.
For example, if your monthly debt payments are $1,000 and your gross monthly income is $4,000, your DTI would be 25% (1,000 ÷ 4,000 = 0.25).
Lenders generally prefer borrowers to have a DTI of 43% or less. However, some lenders may be willing to lend to borrowers with a DTI of up to 50%.
Other Factors That Affect Your Loan Amount
In addition to your income and DTI, there are a few other factors that can affect how much you can borrow with a VA home loan:
- Your credit score: Lenders will look at your credit score to determine how much of a risk you are. Generally, borrowers with higher credit scores will be able to borrow more money.
- The value of the property: The more expensive the property you want to buy, the more you will need to borrow. However, if the property is appraised for less than the purchase price, you may need to come up with the difference in cash.
- The type of loan: There are different types of VA home loans, including fixed-rate and adjustable-rate mortgages. The type of loan you choose can affect how much you can borrow and what your monthly payments will be.
The Bottom Line
If you are a veteran, active-duty service member, or eligible surviving spouse, a VA home loan can be a great way to buy a home without a down payment and with more lenient credit and income requirements. The amount you can borrow will depend on a variety of factors, including your income, credit score, and the value of the property you want to purchase. To find out how much you qualify for, talk to a lender who specializes in VA home loans.