The VA Loan Homebuyer Guide

Welcome, and Thank You for Your Service

The VA loan is one of the most powerful homebuying benefits available, and far too many veterans and service members leave its full value on the table. As a veteran myself and a REALTOR® serving DC, Maryland, and Virginia, I help military families use this benefit the right way.

This guide breaks down how the VA loan works, what it costs, and how to combine it with local programs across the DMV so you buy with confidence and keep more money in your pocket.

Meet Brandon

Brandon Wilson is a full-time real estate professional serving Washington, DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia, with a personal connection to the military community.

A native of Tunkhannock, Pennsylvania, Brandon earned a four-year Army ROTC scholarship to Lock Haven University and commissioned into the U.S. Army Reserve as a Transportation Officer. He went on to earn his MBA, was selected as a Presidential Management Fellow, and served in federal logistics with FEMA. His service included overseas deployments to Oman and Jordan, experiences that shaped the discipline and care he brings to every client.

Having bought and sold multiple homes himself, Brandon knows how much these decisions matter. He is committed to helping veterans and military families use their hard-earned VA benefit to the fullest. Outside of work, he stays active with soccer and volleyball, travels, and invests in real estate.

Why the VA Loan Is So Powerful

• $0 down payment. Eligible buyers with full entitlement can finance 100% of the purchase price, no down payment required (BW Metro Properties: The VA Loan, Explained).
• No private mortgage insurance (PMI). Conventional and FHA buyers pay monthly mortgage insurance. VA buyers do not. That can save hundreds of dollars every month.
• Competitive interest rates. VA loans often carry lower rates than conventional loans, with limits on certain closing costs and no prepayment penalty.
• No loan limit with full entitlement. Veterans with full entitlement can buy above conforming limits without a down payment, which matters in higher-cost DMV markets (BW Metro Properties: The VA Loan, Explained).
• Reusable benefit. You can use your VA loan benefit more than once over your lifetime.

Who Is Eligible

VA loans are available to qualifying:

• Veterans
• Active-duty service members
• National Guard and Reserve members
• Certain surviving spouses

Your lender will help you obtain your Certificate of Eligibility (COE), which confirms your entitlement. I can connect you with a VA-savvy lender who handles this quickly.

Understanding the VA Funding Fee

The VA loan has no monthly mortgage insurance, but it does have a one-time funding fee that helps keep the program running. Here is the current breakdown for purchase loans (U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs):

Key things to know:

• The fee can be financed into your loan rather than paid out of pocket.
• A small down payment can meaningfully cut the fee. Going from less than 5% down to 5% down drops a first-use fee from 2.15% to 1.5%, and a repeat-use fee from 3.3% all the way to 1.5%.

You pay no funding fee at all if any of these apply (U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs):

• You receive VA compensation for a service-connected disability.
• You are eligible for that compensation but receive retirement or active-duty pay instead.
• You are a surviving spouse receiving Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC).
• You have a proposed or memorandum rating before closing based on a pre-discharge claim.
• You are an active-duty service member who provides evidence of a Purple Heart on or before closing.

If you think you qualify for an exemption, tell your lender early. If a fee was charged and you were exempt, you may be owed a refund.

Stacking Your VA Loan with DMV Assistance

Your VA loan can often be combined with state and local programs to cut your upfront costs even further.

Virginia

Closing Cost Assistance Grant

• Up to 2% of the purchase price, and it can be applied directly to your VA funding fee, one of the largest upfront costs (Virginia Housing). It is a true grant you never repay.

Granting Freedom

• A grant to help veterans with a service-connected disability adapt a home for accessibility (Virginia Housing). Your lender can confirm current grant amounts and eligibility.

Washington, DC

DC Open Doors

• Down payment and closing cost assistance of up to 3% of the loan amount for VA loans, as a 0% deferred second loan (DC Housing Finance Agency). Pairs cleanly with VA financing.

Maryland

Maryland Mortgage Program

• VA loans are eligible first-mortgage types under MMP, which means you may layer on MMP down payment and closing cost assistance (Maryland Mortgage Program).

The exact combination depends on your income, the county, and the home. I will help you and your lender map the strongest stack for your situation.

2026 Loan Limits in the DMV

With full entitlement, there is no VA loan limit. You can buy with zero down as long as you can afford the loan and the appraisal supports the price (U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs).

If you have partial entitlement (you have used some and not restored it), county loan limits come back into play. The VA uses the same one-unit limits as the Federal Housing Finance Agency, called conforming loan limit values, which you can confirm on the FHFA website (U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs). In higher-cost DMV counties these limits run well above the national baseline, which covers the vast majority of local purchases without jumbo pricing.

Understanding entitlement is not just trivia. It directly affects how much you can buy next time. I will help you and your lender confirm where you stand.

Your VA Homebuying Steps

1. Confirm eligibility and get your Certificate of Eligibility.
2. Get pre-approved with a lender experienced in VA loans.
3. Map your assistance options across the DMV with my help.
4. Tour homes that fit your goals, budget, and lifestyle.
5. Make a smart, well-structured offer.
6. Inspection, appraisal, and VA appraisal review.
7. Close and get your keys.

A quick note: VA appraisals include a value and condition review. I know how to prepare offers and work with sellers so the process moves smoothly.

Local Hero Appreciation

At BW Metro Properties, supporting the people who serve our community is personal. Through our Local Hero appreciation program, I recognize military, first responders, healthcare workers, and teachers. Ask me how I can support your move.

Let's Put Your Benefit to Work

You earned this benefit. Let's make sure you use every bit of it. Whether you are PCSing into the area, separating from service, or simply ready to buy, I am here to guide you.

When you are ready, let's talk.