VA loan rates, refi math, and market notes.
Weekly rate updates and plain-English explainers from loan officers and market analysts on our team.
You May Qualify for a VA Loan and Not Know It: The Surviving Spouse Benefit
Roughly 600,000 unremarried surviving spouses of wartime veterans are alive in America today. A huge share qualify for a VA loan with zero down, no PMI, and no funding fee. Almost none are being told.
Zero Down on a Fourplex: The House Hack Almost No LO Pitches
VA lets you buy a duplex, triplex, or fourplex as a primary residence with zero down and no PMI. Rental income from the other units counts toward qualifying. Most loan officers never mention it.
The VA Loan Doesn't Cap at the Conforming Limit — and Hasn't Since 2020
The Blue Water Navy Act eliminated the VA loan limit for veterans with full entitlement on January 1, 2020. Six years later most veterans still don't know, and most loan officers haven't updated their pitch.
VA Cash-Out to 100% LTV: The Refi No Other Loan Can Match
Conventional caps cash-out at 80%. FHA caps at 80%. VA goes to 100% of appraised value — and most lenders won't tell you because their overlays choke it down to 90%.
The Gross-Up Most Loan Officers Miss — And How It Adds $60k+ to Your Pre-Approval
VA disability, BAH, BAS, combat pay, and tax-free pension income all get grossed up 25% for mortgage qualifying. Miss it and veterans buy less house than they've earned.
VA Rate Update — Week of July 6, 2026: 30-Year Holds Under 6%
Ten-year yields drifted lower on soft jobs data, keeping the 30-year VA fixed at 5.99% for eligible borrowers. What to watch this week.
VA Rate Update — Week of June 29, 2026: Rates Ease Ahead of Jobs Print
Rates ticked lower into month-end as bond markets positioned ahead of a potentially soft jobs report.
IRRRL vs. VA Cash-Out in 2026: Which Refi Actually Wins?
Both refis have their moment. Here's a plain-English framework for choosing between an IRRRL streamline and a VA cash-out — with real numbers.
2026 VA Loan Limits Explained (and Why They Don't Cap You)
The 2026 conforming limit is $806,500 in most counties and $1,209,750 in high-cost areas — but with full entitlement, there is no VA loan cap.
When Should You Lock Your VA Loan Rate?
Locking too early leaves gains on the table. Locking too late risks a bad print. Here's the framework we use with borrowers.
VA Funding Fee 2026: Rates, Waivers, and How to Pay It
The 2026 VA funding fee ranges from 0.5% (IRRRL) to 3.3% (subsequent use cash-out). Here's the full table and every way to reduce or waive it.