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A Veteran Helping Veterans Use Their VA Loan Benefit

You've earned it. Now it's time to use it. A VA home loan is one of the greatest financial benefits you receive from your service.
Testimonials
"Joey at VA Loan Nerd is the absolute best to work with. We worked with him buying our first home, and later decided to build our dream home. After seeing our options from the builder's lender, we knew we had to reach out again to work with Joey. He got us the best rate and kept us at a lower monthly payment. We couldn’t be happier."
Courtney C in Ft. Meyers, FL  |  Google Review
Testimonials
"I'm beyond grateful to have Joey work on my behalf in the background while I simply prepare for my new home. All the details can be super overwhelming so I appreciate knowing that Joey is looking to get me the lowest interest and fees, and the most secure loan. The confidence I have in his integrity and honor helps me enjoy the process instead of fear it. This is my fourth time working with Joey. Semper Fi!!
Paul A in Chicago, IL |  Facebook Review
Testimonials
"Joey is fantastic to work with! As first time home buyers, my wife and I had a lot of questions and Joey was available to answer them day or night. During times where we were stressed out, he knew exactly what to say and how to calm us down. Couldn’t recommend him more!"
Tim A in TBD |  Zillow Review
Testimonials
"Joey is a very honest, concerned, and capable gentleman. He made himself available to us regardless of time of day or night, weekdays or weekends. If we had a question, he took time explain it. Joey should be cloned, especially to guide and assist first -time homebuyers. With Joey you are not just a number but you are family. YOU CAN TRUST JOEY TO BE HONEST AND FORTHCOMING. We are extremely happy!!!"
Gayle C in Oswego, IL |  Zillow Review
Why Choose VA Loan Nerd?

Military veterans have many options for VA Loans, but only VA Loan Nerd gets you into the home you deserve every step of the way with personalized guidance from a fellow veteran. I know how to push your offer to the top of the pile.

Zero loans denied... Ever

Once you receive a pre-approval from me, you have a golden ticket to home ownership. My pre-approved buyers have never been denied a loan.

Consistent A+ communication

This isn’t a call center. You have my cell phone. From pre-approval until the day you close, I am here guiding you through every step.

VA-focused lending

88% of lenders close fewer than 3 VA loans a year. I close 100+ VA loans annually, and 70% of my business is VA-centered.

You are family here

We are connected as brothers and sisters in service. When you trust my team with your loan, we honor that tremendously.

Veterans Affairs expert

I actively stay on the forward edge of changes at the VA and communicate with them directly so I can navigate your VA loan with speed and ease.

Nationwide coverage and resources

I am committed to serve veterans across the nation. My team currently serves 43 states and the District of Columbia, with more coming.

Eligibility Requirements

One of your most important steps to begin the process of acquiring a VA home loan is to understand if you're eligible. VA home loan applicants must provide a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) to prove they qualify for a VA loan. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs provides instructions on requesting a COE, or VA Loan Nerd can walk you through it.

  • Active Duty: Served 90 days continuously
  • National Guard or Reserves: Served 6 years, or 90 days with at least 30 days consecutively under Title 32 or Title 10 orders
  • Veterans: Were active-duty for at least 90 consecutive days in wartime or 181 days in peacetime. Veterans must not have been dishonorably discharged.
  • Surviving Spouses: Qualifying surviving spouse
  • Credit Score Requirements: The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs doesn't set a minimum credit score requirement for VA loans. However, lenders may set their own minimum requirements. Most lenders require a score of at least 620, but some accept a score as low as 500.
  • Loan Limit: If you have your full entitlement available, you can buy as much house as you darn well please with $0 down, as long as you qualify for the monthly payment. If you have entitlement wrapped up in another property, we can pull your COE and discuss how to maximize your remaining entitlement.
What is a VA Loan?

A VA loan is a mortgage loan program designed to help eligible Veterans, active-duty service members, and certain members of the National Guard and Reserves purchase, build, repair, retain, or adapt a home for personal occupancy.

These loans are negotiated by private lenders, not the Department of Veterans Affairs. VA loans can be used to purchase a home, condominiums, or even new construction. These loans are guaranteed by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, which means that lenders are protected against loss if the borrower fails to repay the loan.

Read about how the VA Loan Nerd process works
Types of VA Loans

Purchase Loan

You can use the VA loan to purchase new or existing homes with $0 down payment. VA purchase loans also allow Veterans to buy all types of homes and even new construction.

Read More
Types of VA Loans

Interest Rate Reduction Refinance Loan (IRRRL)

Have an existing VA home loan? Find out if you can get a VA-backed IRRRL to help reduce your monthly payments or make them more stable. This one of the VA loan program's two refinance options and the one most Veteran homeowners choose.

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Types of VA Loans

Cash Out Refinance Loans

Want to take cash out of your home equity to pay off debt, pay for school, or take care of other needs? Find out if you can get a VA-backed cash-out refinance loan. You can typically refinance up to 90% of your home's value.

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Types of VA Loans

Renovation Loans

Renovation loans allow you to purchase a home and borrow added funds to refurbish the home immediately after closing, or you may want funds to renovate a home you already own. The funds are packaged into your mortgage so you only have one monthly payment.

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Types of VA Loans

Construction Loans

Sometimes finding the perfect home means building the perfect home. Construction loans cover costs including land, materials, labor, equipment, contractor and permit fees, architectural and engineering fees, and more.

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Next Loan Type
Benefits of a VA Loan

With a VA Loan, you can enjoy benefits like zero down payment, no personal mortgage insurance, better approval odds, lower fees, and more.

VA loans, backed by Veterans Affairs, offer significant advantages including zero down payment requirements, lower interest rates, exemption from private mortgage insurance (PMI), flexible credit standards, limited closing costs, assistance in financial hardship, the ability to reuse the benefit, and no prepayment penalties, making homeownership more accessible and affordable for eligible veterans and active-duty service members.

Read all benefits of VA home loans
How It Works

Choose Loan Type

We'll help you choose the right loan, and we'll guide you through affordability, benefits, goals, prep, and more.

Apply for Loan

We'll help you with application and paperwork (like W-2s, tax returns, etc), and we'll get you pre-approval in 24 hours.

Request a COE

VA Loan Nerd can quickly request your Certificate of Eligibility for you once you've submitted your loan application.

Find a Realtor

We work with solid, reputable realtors across the country, and we'll help you find the right one for you.

Enjoy Your Home!

Your hard work is done. Now comes the fun part... settling in to your new home. And you'll get a gift from us soon after closing!

Find Out How Much You Can Afford
A good first step to start the home buying process is to find out how much you can afford. Use our mortgage calculator to calculate affordability, including your approximate monthly payment with mortgage's principal, interest payments, insurance cost, and taxes. If you're not sure or need guidance to crunch the numbers, please contact me.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a VA loan?

A VA loan is a mortgage loan program designed to help eligible Veterans, active-duty service members, and certain members of the National Guard and Reserves purchase, build, repair, retain, or adapt a home for personal occupancy.These loans are negotiated by private lenders, not the Department of Veterans Affairs. VA loans can be used to purchase a home, condominiums, or even new construction. These loans are guaranteed by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, which means that lenders are protected against loss if the borrower fails to repay the loan.

What are the pros and cons of a VA loan? 

With a VA Loan, you can enjoy benefits like zero down payment, no personal mortgage insurance, better approval odds, lower fees, and more.VA loans, backed by Veterans Affairs, offer significant advantages including zero down payment requirements, lower interest rates, exemption from private mortgage insurance (PMI), flexible credit standards, limited closing costs, assistance in financial hardship, the ability to reuse the benefit, and no prepayment penalties, making homeownership more accessible and affordable for eligible veterans and active-duty service members.

Let's be real... there's always a down side. Most borrowers are required to pay a VA loan funding fee (currently between 1% and 3% of the amount of the loan). And sometimes there's a bit more paperwork. But VA Loan Nerd is here to help you through it and we'll make it smooth sailing until you're sittin in your new living room.

Read all pros and cons of a VA loan

How does the VA Loan Nerd process work

In a nutshell, here's how we'll do this.

Step 1: Choose Loan Type
We'll help you choose the right loan, and we'll guide you through affordability, benefits, goals, prep, and more.

Step 2: Request a COE
VA Loan Nerd can quickly request your Certificate of Eligibility for you once you've submitted your loan application.

Step 3: Apply for a Loan
We'll help you with application and paperwork (like W-2s, tax returns, etc), and we'll get you pre-approval in 24 hours.

Step 4: Find a Realtor (or in some cases, a builder)
We work with solid, reputable realtors across the country, and we'll help you find the right one for you .

Step 5: Move-in Time!
Your hard work is done. Now comes the fun part... settling in to your new home. And you'll get a gift from us soon after closing!

Read about the VA Loan Nerd process

What are the eligibility requirements for a VA loan?

VA home loan applicants must provide a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) to prove they qualify for a VA loan. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs provides instructions on requesting a COE.

Active Duty: Served 90 days continuously
National Guard or Reserves: Served 6 years, or 90 days with at least 30 days consecutively under Title 32 or Title 10 orders
Veterans: Were active-duty for at least 90 consecutive days in wartime or 181 days in peacetime. Veterans must not have been dishonorably discharged.
Surviving Spouses: Qualifying surviving spouse
Credit Score Requirements: The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs doesn't set a minimum credit score requirement for VA loans. However, lenders may set their own minimum requirements. Most lenders require a score of at least 620, but some accept a score as low as 500.
Loan Limit: The standard VA loan limit for 2023 is $726,200 for most U.S. counties.

Read full eligibility requirements

What are the different types of VA loans?

Purchase, IRRRL, Cashout Refinance, Renovation, and New Construction

Read details about VA loan types

How long does it take to get approved for a VA loan?

In almost all states we can typically close inside of 30 days. Some states do allow for longer appraiser timelines for report turn in, but VA loans are much faster than most give them credit for.

What are VA loan limits?

NONE! Unless entitlement is wrapped in another property, then we calculate based on remaining entitlement and the conforming loan limit for the area you’re buying in.

Does VA Loan Nerd help me find the right realtor?

Yes. We have trusted agent contacts across the country. We consider them part of our team and they will help you attain your new home. We’d be proud to connect you with them.

What is the VA loan funding fee?

The VA funding fee is a one-time payment that veterans, active-duty service members, and certain other eligible individuals must pay when they obtain a VA home loan. This fee helps to reduce the cost of the loan for U.S. taxpayers since the VA home loan program doesn't require down payments or private mortgage insurance. A veteran may be exempt from paying the VA funding fee if they meet certain criteria, such as:

Receiving VA Disability Compensation: Veterans receiving compensation for a service-connected disability are exempt from the funding fee.

Eligible for Compensation: Veterans who would be entitled to receive compensation for a service-connected disability if they were not receiving retirement or active duty pay.

Surviving Spouses: Surviving spouses of veterans who died in service or from a service-connected disability may also be exempt from the funding fee.

Active Duty Purple Heart Recipients: Service members who have received the Purple Heart and are on active duty at the time of loan closing are exempt from the funding fee.

A non-exempt veteran, therefore, is someone who does not meet these exemption criteria and is required to pay the VA funding fee when obtaining a VA home loan. The fee can be paid upfront or rolled into the total loan amount, and the amount varies based on factors such as the veteran's military service category, the down payment amount (if any), and whether it is the first or a subsequent use of the VA loan benefit.

What are the terms of a VA loan?

VA loans can be in terms of 10, 15, 20, 25, or 30 years. Adjustable and fixed rates are allowed. Full terms will be determined by credit application.

Our Realtor Connection

VA Loan Nerd partners with trusted agent contacts across the country.

We consider our realtor partners an integral part of our team and your experience, and they will help you attain your new home. We’d be proud to connect you with them.

Contact VA Loan Nerd to learn more
A Note from the Founder

After serving as a Marine and a firefighter, I now have the great honor serving my fellow veterans by helping them use their VA Loan Benefit.

Hello friends. Client experience is of the utmost importance to me when it comes to lending. I have spent my life dedicated to the service of others. I am a Marine veteran of the War in Iraq as well as a retired union firefighter from the Cicero, IL IAFF Local 717. Lending has given me the platform to continue service to others but without having to sacrifice my physical health. And, after years of being called a VA loan nerd, I’ve embraced the title.

My commitment to the client experience through the home-buying process has garnered my team annual recognition in the top 1% of mortgage originators in the country from Scotsman’s Guide. We do not exist without putting our clients in the driver’s seat and allowing them to select the loan option that makes the most sense for them. My mission is to increase veteran homeownership and dispel myths about VA loans.

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—Joseph Mathews, Marine Veteran and Owner

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Getting a loan doesn't have to be confusing or overwhelming. VA Loan Nerd is here to answer your questions and guide you through the entire process.
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