To be eligible for a VA Loan, veterans, active duty service members, National Guard members and reservists must meet the basic service requirements set forth by the Department of Veterans Affairs. Spouses of military members who died while on active duty or as a result of a service-connected disability may also be eligible.
It’s ultimately up to the VA to determine eligibility for the home loan program, but prospective borrowers can get a good idea by looking at the VA’s basic eligibility guidelines.
You may be eligible for a VA Home Loan if you meet one or more of the following conditions:
While you don’t need your VA Certificate of Eligibility in hand to start the loan process with Veterans United, this certificate is a very important part of your loan application. Your COE verifies that your length and character of service make you eligible to use the VA home loan benefit.
You can apply for a VA Loan Certificate of Eligibility three different ways:
The Certificate of Eligibility (COE) verifies to the lender that you meet the eligibility requirements for a VA loan. Learn more about the evidence you submit and how to apply for a COE on our Eligibility page.
Work with a real estate professional and negotiate a purchase agreement. Make sure the purchase and sales agreement contains a “VA Option Clause.”
Here’s a sample of a “VA Option Clause”:
“It is expressly agreed that, notwithstanding any other provisions of this contract, the purchaser shall not incur any penalty by forfeiture of earnest money or otherwise be obligated to complete the purchase of the property described herein, if the contract purchase price or cost exceeds the reasonable value of the property established by the Department of Veterans Affairs. The purchaser shall, however, have the privilege and option of proceeding with the consummation of this contract without regard to the amount of the reasonable value established by the Department of Veterans Affairs.”
You may also want the purchase agreement to allow you to “escape” from the contract without penalty if you can’t get a VA loan.
Work with the lender to complete a loan application and gather the needed documents, such as pay stubs and bank statements.
Purchase Loan & Cash-Out Refinance: VA loans are obtained through a lender of your choice once you obtain a Certificate of Eligibility (COE). You can obtain a COE through eBenefits, by mail, and often through you lender. Learn More
Interest Rate Reduction Refinance Loan: A new Certificate of Eligibility (COE) is not required. You may take your Certificate of Eligibility to show the prior use of your entitlement or your lender may use our e-mail confirmation procedure in lieu of a certificate of eligibility. Learn More
Native American Direct Loan (NADL) Program: First, confirm that your tribal organization participates in the VA direct loan program. NADL loans are obtained through a lender of your choice once you obtain a Certificate of Eligibility (COE). You can obtain a COE through eBenefits, by mail, and often through you lender. Learn More
Adapted Housing Grants: You can apply for an SAH or SHA grant by either downloading and completing VA Form 26-4555 (PDF) and submitting it to your nearest Regional Loan Center, or completing the online application. Learn More
The lender chooses a title company, an attorney, or one of their own representatives to conduct the closing.
Generally, all Veterans using the VA Home Loan Guaranty benefit must pay a funding fee. This reduces the loan’s cost to taxpayers considering that a VA loan requires no down payment and has no monthly mortgage insurance. The funding fee is a percentage of the loan amount which varies based on the type of loan and your military category, if you are a first-time or subsequent loan user, and whether you make a down payment. You have the option to finance the VA funding fee or pay it in cash, but the funding fee must be paid at closing time.
You do not have to pay the fee if you are a:
The funding fee for second time users who do not make a down payment is slightly higher. Also, National Guard and Reserve Veterans pay a slightly higher funding fee percentage. To determine your exact percentage, please review the latest funding fee chart.
Be aware that the lender charges interest, in addition to closing fees and charges. Here are some general rules:
Adding the VA Funding Fee and other loans costs to your loan may result in a situation in which you owe more than the fair market value of the house, and will reduce the benefit of refinancing since your payment will not be lowered as much as it could be. Also, you could have difficulty selling the house for enough to pay off your loan balance.
Founded by legendary art patron Linda Pace, Artpace has earned international acclaim for its innovative artists’ residency program. Located in a converted 1920s automobile dealership, Artpace presents original works created by Texas, national and international artists during their residencies, along with contemporary art exhibits, lectures and other avant-garde events in the Hudson Room. Every Friday, a mobile food truck serves delicious tacos curbside in the courtyard.
The McNay Art Museum, housed in a Spanish Colonial Revival estate, has grown into one of the best small museums in the country—the Wall Street Journal puts it in the top four—with a world-class collection of late 19th- and early 20th-century European and American art, along with changing exhibits in the Stieren Center for Exhibits.
The 100-year-old San Antonio Art League makes its home in the King William Historic District. The organization is dedicated to the support and exhibition of local and regional artists, with exhibits of various artists’ works featured throughout the year. The museum’s permanent collection includes 400 works of all media, primarily by Texas artists—paintings and water-colors, graphic art, photography, ceramics, sculpture, drawings, silverware, furniture, fabric and wall hangings.
San Antonio’s main library is also an award-winning architectural masterpiece and a good place to view art. The “enchilada red” library was designed by Mexican architect Ricardo Legorreta. The gallery focuses on local artists and the spectacular hanging glass sculpture is by Dale Chihuly.
Tour the world of art in encyclopedic exhibits ranging from ancient Greek and Egyptian art to Asian ceramics and Latin American, American, European and contemporary art. Out back, the new Museum Reach of the San Antonio River Walk features public art installations such as Donald Lipski’s giant, lighted sunfish and a fantastic carved concrete grotto by San Antonio artist Carlos Cortés.
Outstanding contemporary shows, most for free, are held in the Russell Hill Rogers Galleries of the Southwest School of Art, one of the largest art schools in the U.S. The school occupies the campus of a Catholic girls’ school founded in 1851. The grounds are breathtaking and slope down to a beautiful garden on the San Antonio River Walk. Stop in for lunch at the Copper Kitchen and don’t miss the gift shop, one of the best places to buy handcrafted art in San Antonio.
One of the city’s most popular museum, the Witte Museum, hugs Brackenridge Park and the banks of the San Antonio River. The Witte is primarily devoted to science and natural history, with wonderful children’s exhibits and stellar traveling exhibits from around the world, but also boasts the best early Texas art collection in the state. The museum is undergoing expansion, and the 20,000 sq. ft. South Texas Heritage Center opened in 2012 to tell the real-life stories of those who were integral to the history of South Texas, including Native Americans, Spanish settlers, Tejanos, ranchers, trail drivers, farmers and oil and gas pioneers.
Lawrence Markey: Drawings, paintings and sculptures from 1960 to present.
Monte Wade Fine Arts Gallery: Contemporary and traditional art.
Nueva Street Gallery: Contemporary works by Texas artists.
Blue Star Contemporary Art Museum: Four on-site galleries hold more than 20 contemporary art exhibits annually.
AnArte Gallery: Contemporary artwork across all media by both established and up-and-coming artists.
Greenhouse Gallery of Fine Art: Nationally and internationally known artists working in a variety of media.
Hunt Gallery: Realistic and abstract works by regional and national artists.
NanEtte Richardson Fine Art: Regional and national painters and sculptors.
Parchman Stremmel: Contemporary works by American and Latin American artists who are recognized regionally, nationally and internationally.
REM Gallery: Contemporary art featuring Texas artists.
Gallery Nord: Contemporary works by local, national and international artists
Alamo (Other San Antonio Area)
There is no way you can visit San Antonio and not stop to visit the state’s most-famous historic site. Here fell Davy Crockett and 188 other defenders of the Alamo after repeated …
Best For: Tots (0-2) Kids (3-6) Kids (7-9) Tweens (10-12) Teens (13+) |
Animal Encounters (SeaWorld San Antonio)
Areas of the park get kids up-close-and-personal with aquatic wildlife, including sea lions, dolphins, penguins, beluga whales, stingrays and alligators. Some areas allow kids to …
Best For: Kids (3-6) Kids (7-9) Tweens (10-12) Teens (13+) |
Aquatica San Antonio (Other San Antonio Area)
SeaWorld’s water park features sandy beaches, a giant wave pool, a lazy river, a family raft ride, three-story splash area, toddler pool, water slides and a surf area. Changing …
Best For: Tots (0-2) Kids (3-6) Kids (7-9) Tweens (10-12) Teens (13+) |
Aquatica San Antonio (SeaWorld San Antonio)
SeaWorld’s water park features sandy beaches, a giant wave pool, a lazy river, a family raft ride, three-story splash area, toddler pool, water slides and a surf area. Changing …
Best For: Tots (0-2) Kids (3-6) Kids (7-9) Tweens (10-12) Teens (13+) |
Interactive Sea Life Shows (SeaWorld San Antonio)
A visit to SeaWorld isn’t complete without watching Shamu swim and splash during the “One Ocean” show. Killer whales, fountains and music come together for an environmental show, …
Best For: Kids (3-6) Kids (7-9) Tweens (10-12) Teens (13+) |
Natural Bridge Caverns (Other San Antonio Area)
When driving along and seeing signs for attractions a little out of the way, I sometimes cringe and wonder if they are actually worth the drive off the beaten path. These caverns …
Best For: Kids (3-6) Kids (7-9) Tweens (10-12) Teens (13+) |
Natural Bridge Wildlife (Other San Antonio Area)
The longest running safari park in Texas features 50 species of animals from around the globe, including zebras, rhinos and giraffes, over 400 sprawling acres. Located just beside …
Best For: Tots (0-2) Kids (3-6) Kids (7-9) Tweens (10-12) |
Ripley’s Believe It Or Not! (Other San Antonio Area)
After remembering the Alamo, walk across the street to the largest, most-interactive Ripley’s in the U.S., featuring plenty of oddities to make the kids scratch their heads. Louis …
Best For: Kids (7-9) Tweens (10-12) Teens (13+) |
River Walk (Other San Antonio Area)
Below street level, winding through downtown San Antonio, is a two-mile stretch of shops and dining known as River Walk. One of the first of its kind in the country, the beautiful …
Best For: Tots (0-2) Kids (3-6) Kids (7-9) Tweens (10-12) Teens (13+) |
Roller Coasters at SeaWorld San Antonio (SeaWorld San Antonio)
Wet or dry, SeaWorld provides a host of scream machines that will spin, loop, and drop daredevil kids from great heights. Younger kids may even enjoy the Journey to Atlantis water …
Best For: Tweens (10-12) Teens (13+) |
San Antonio River Cruises (Other San Antonio Area)
Although you can easily walk along the meandering river, stopping to shop and eat in the many River Walk stores and restaurants, elect to ride a scenic cruise in a colorful …
Best For: Tots (0-2) Kids (3-6) Kids (7-9) Tweens (10-12) Teens (13+) |
SeaWorld San Antonio (Other San Antonio Area)
By far one of the main family attractions is SeaWorld, located just outside downtown near plenty of hotels in Hill …
Best For: Kids (3-6) Kids (7-9) Tweens (10-12) Teens (13+) |
Six Flags Fiesta Texas (Other San Antonio Area)
In the San Antonio area and looking for some thrills, chills, and excitement? Then you’re in luck — Six Flags Fiesta Texas is just around the corner and is sure to be nothing but …
Best For: Tots (0-2) Kids (3-6) Kids (7-9) Tweens (10-12) Teens (13+) |
Tower of Americas – Hemisfair Park (Other San Antonio Area)
Visible from any entry into San Antonio’s downtown is the Tower of Americas, a 750-foot structure left over from the 1968 World’s Fair. At the top, catch panoramic views of the …
Best For: Kids (3-6) Kids (7-9) Tweens (10-12) |
“Briana was a paragon of patience, especially considering we didn’t seem to always know what we wanted. The proof of her abilities is how much we’re enjoying our new home. It was a great pleasure working with Briana.”
-Renee Duran
If it’s in Texas, it must be bigger and better. That is the motto that architects followed with the Capitol Building in Austin. At one time, it was the tallest capitol building in the nation. Others might be taller now, but this is still a beautiful building that shows off many of the natural resources which are so prevalent in Texas, such as limestone and the landscapes.
Congress Avenue Bridge / Austin Bats
The Austin bridge is where nearly 1.5 million bats live.
Austin City Limits According to the mythology, Austin City Limits is taped on an Austin hillside above the city. In reality, the show is recorded… more »
Ranked among the top 100 homes in the U.S. for its architectural significance, this ornate 1893 building was the home to the family of Walter Gresham, a former Confederate colonel and U.S. Congressman.
Galveston has some of the finest examples of Victorian architecture, including this one. Col. James Moreau Brown bought land on the corner of 23rd and Broadway streets in Galveston to build his future home. Brown designed Ashton Villa by studing several architectural pattern books and modified his building plans accordingly. The villa was built in 1858 and completed in 1859 with slaves… More
This elegant late 19th-century mansion of red brick, limestone and terra cotta tile, houses a collection of decorative arts, silver and furnishings associated with the Moodys, one of the city’s most prominent families.
Lyndon B. Johnson State Park & Historic Site
Visitors will enjoy a self-guided driving tour through the land where the former president was born and buried, plus his 717-acre ranch, you won’t have to walk your feet off to see this state park. The park is home to the Sauer-Beckmann Living History Farm. The farm is a working farm that lets visitors step back in time and experience life on a German farmstead in the early 1900’s… More
Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.