Some military spouses may be eligible for a VA home loan.
You may be able to get a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) if you're the spouse or widow of a veteran, and at least one of these is true:
- The veteran is missing in action.
- The veteran is a prisoner of war (POW).
- The veteran died while in service or from a service-connected disability and you didn't remarry.
- The veteran died while in service or from a service-connected disability and you didn't remarry before you were 57 years old or before Dec. 16, 2003.
- The veteran had been totally disabled and then died, but their disability may not have been the cause of death (in certain situations).
Note: A surviving spouse who remarried before Dec. 16, 2003, and on or after their 57th birthday, must have applied no later than Dec. 15, 2004, to establish home loan eligibility. The VA will deny applications received after Dec. 15, 2004, from surviving spouses who remarried before Dec. 16, 2003.
VA Home Loans for Surviving Spouses
The advantages that accompany VA loans can make them an affordable option when purchasing or refinancing a home. Military survivors can expect:
- No VA funding fee
- As little as zero down
- Up to 100% refinancing of appraised value
- No monthly mortgage insurance premiums
- Low interest rates that are nationally competitive
- No penalties for early payoff or balance reduction
- VA streamlined refinancing, even if ineligible for full VA loan benefits
Read More: VA Loans Overview, Including Types of VA Loans
Take the Next Step
If you're ready to move forward, or just want more information, the first step is to get no-obligation rate quotes.
