Beyond the Thank-You: Veterans Day Homebuying Benefits Worth Knowing

A flag on the porch. A heartfelt thank-you. A moment to recognize the people whose service has shaped our country. Veterans Day gives us a welcome reason to pause and show our gratitude.

In real estate, that gratitude can include something practical: helping veterans understand the homebuying benefits they have earned. If buying a home in Virginia is on your horizon, these VA loan benefits and state-specific resources deserve a place on your checklist. Some may be more flexible than you think.

For eligible buyers, a VA-backed home loan can offer a path to homeownership without a down payment. It also does not require private mortgage insurance, or PMI. That can leave more room in your budget for moving expenses, savings and the inevitable first trip to the hardware store.

But zero down does not mean zero cost. Closing costs, prepaid taxes and insurance, and a VA funding fee may still apply. Your lender must review your credit, income and eligibility, and a down payment may be needed depending on your entitlement, lender requirements or a purchase price above the appraised value. Ask for a written estimate of both cash needed at closing and the full monthly payment.

Already used a VA loan? That does not automatically close the door on using it again. This is a lifetime benefit, not a first-time homebuyer program with a single punch on the card.

You may be able to restore entitlement after selling the previous home and paying off the VA loan. Other restoration options exist, and some buyers may have enough remaining entitlement for another purchase even without full restoration. Have a VA-experienced lender review your Certificate of Eligibility, or COE, and previous loan history before assuming you no longer qualify. The new purchase still has to meet occupancy and lending requirements.

The VA funding fee is a one-time charge that applies to many VA loans, but not every borrower pays it. Veterans receiving VA compensation for a service-connected disability are among those who may be exempt. Other qualifying categories include certain eligible surviving spouses and active-duty Purple Heart recipients.

A detail worth asking about: if you paid the fee and later receive a qualifying disability compensation award with an effective date before your loan closed, you may qualify for a refund. That is not the same as any disability rating received after closing. Ask your lender to check your exemption status early, and contact VA if you believe a past fee should be refunded.

VA home loan eligibility can extend to certain surviving spouses, including qualifying spouses of veterans who died in service or from a service-connected disability. Eligibility depends on the circumstances, and remarriage rules can matter.

Do not assume the answer is no, but do not assume every surviving spouse qualifies either. VA can determine COE eligibility, and the lender must still approve the financing. Starting with that eligibility check is far more useful than trying to decode every rule alone.

For veterans and service members with certain qualifying service-connected disabilities, VA offers Specially Adapted Housing (SAH) and Special Home Adaptation (SHA) grants. Depending on the program and eligibility, these can help buy, build or adapt a permanent home.

Think beyond the listing photos: wider doorways, accessible living spaces and a home that supports daily independence. These are not general grants available to every veteran or every person with a disability. Before choosing a property or starting work, ask VA about the specific disability, ownership and project requirements.

Federal VA loan benefits and Virginia tax benefits are different programs. In Virginia, qualifying veterans with a VA-rated 100% service-connected, permanent and total disability may receive a real estate tax exemption on their principal residence and qualifying land. Certain veterans rated at 100% because of individual unemployability, with permanent and total status, can qualify as well.

Eligible surviving spouses may also qualify under applicable rules. This exemption is not automatic, and it does not apply to every veteran. Apply through the local Commissioner of the Revenue or designated assessing office. Acreage and ownership rules matter, so confirm the details for the property before building an assumed tax savings into your budget.

Before touring homes, request your COE, speak with a lender experienced in VA loans, and compare loan estimates. Ask about funding fee exemptions, remaining entitlement and any Virginia property tax relief that may apply. Remember that a VA appraisal is not a home inspection; an independent inspection is a separate part of evaluating a home.

Considering buying a home in Virginia with a VA loan? Reach out to talk through your home search and the questions to bring to your lender. You do not need to arrive with every answer.

To our veterans and the families beside them: thank you. Your service deserves recognition on Veterans Day and thoughtful support throughout the year. And whether your next chapter includes a new front porch or simply a better understanding of your options, it is worth knowing which doors your earned benefits may help open.

Information checked November 11, 2026. This article is general education, not lending, legal or tax advice. Eligibility, lender requirements and program rules vary and may change. Confirm your circumstances with VA, your lender and the appropriate local tax office.

VA home loan overview

VA purchase loan requirements

VA eligibility and repeat use

VA funding fee exemptions and refunds

VA home loans for surviving spouses

VA disability housing grants

Virginia DVS tax exemptions

Virginia disabled veteran exemption law