VA Loan Eligibility: Surviving Spouses

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The VA mortgages that many veterans enjoy can also be obtained by:

  • the un-remarried survivor of a military member who died while in service or from a service-oriented disability
  • the survivor of a service person missing in action (MIA) or a prisoner of war (POW) (limited to one-time use)

In order for a surviving spouse to qualify for a VA loan, he or she must obtain a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) and have ample credit and income.

VA loans have many attractive features:

  • Zero down payment within conforming loan limits
  • No mortgage insurance premiums
  • Interest rate advantages
  • More lenient qualifying standards than conventional programs
  • No pre-payment penalties
  • Available in 15- to 30-year terms

There are other notable benefits for surviving spouses who use the VA home loan program:

  • All surviving spouses are exempt from the VA funding fee
  • A spouse, whether VA-eligible or not, who co-signed on VA mortgage with a veteran who has since deceased, regardless of whether the death was duty related, may obtain a VA cash-out refinance loan

Ready to Get Started?

If you're ready to get started, or just want to get more information on the process, the first step is to get multiple rate quotes with no obligation. You can then discuss qualifications, debt to income ratios, and any other concerns you have about the process with the lenders.

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