Closing costs comparable – and sometimes lower – than other financing types.

No private mortgage insurance requirement.

Right to prepay loan without penalties

Mortgage can be taken over (or “assumed”) by the buyer when a home is sold.

Counseling and assistance available to veteran borrowers having financial difficulty or facing default on their loan. Although mortgage insurance is not required, the VA charges a funding fee to issue a guarantee to a lender against borrower default on a mortgage. The fee may be paid in cash by the buyer or seller, or it may be financed in the loan amount.

A VA loan can be used to buy a home, build a home and even improve a home with energy-saving features such as solar or heating/cooling systems, water heaters, insulation, weather-stripping/ caulking, storm windows/doors or other energy efficient improvements approved by the lender and VA.

Veterans can apply for a VA loan with any mortgage lender that participates in the VA home loan program. A Certificate of Eligibility from the VA must be presented to the lender to qualify for the loan.