Best VA Loans in Florida

Veterans United is our top pick for best VA loans in Florida.

If you are a military service member or veteran, you may be interested in buying your home using a VA loan. There are several lenders that offer VA loans in Florida to qualified individuals and families. Read on to learn more about the benefits of VA loans and the Florida lenders that offer them. 

Quick Look: Best VA Loans in Florida

• Best Overall in Florida: Veterans United
• Best for First Time Home Buyers: Navy Federal Credit Union
• Best for In-Person Bank Experience: USAA
• Best for Online Application: Rocket Mortgage
• Best for Low Credit Scores: Caliber Home Loans

5 Best Lenders for VA Loans in Florida

If you’re seeking a VA loan, you’ll want to look at lenders who specialize in offering this loan type in Florida. Some of our favorite lenders for VA loans are:

1. Best Overall: Veterans United

One of the major factors lenders look into when you apply for a mortgage is what your debt-to-income ratio is. This is the ratio of how much you currently owe versus the amount of income you bring in.

Lenders use this information to determine how likely you are to make your monthly mortgage payments without issue. Veterans United Home Loans is unique in that it does not have a set limit on its maximum debt-to-income ratio.

Even with significant debt, you may be able to work with this lender to obtain a VA mortgage loan.

2. Best for First Time Home Buyers: Navy Federal Credit Union

Navy Federal Credit Union is one of the best lenders for first time buyers in Florida. It offers the benefit of in-person assistance through many of the branch locations throughout Florida.

This can be a great help to first time buyers who may need a little help throughout the mortgage process. Navy Federal Credit Union also evaluates its borrowers case by case.

3. Best for In-Person Bank Experience: USAA

USAA is a great option if you’re looking for the traditional banking experience with your VA home loan. It offers competitive rates and multiple adjustable-rate mortgage options available to VA home loan customers.

USAA also has the benefit of offering other insurance products to its customers. If you decide on USAA as your mortgage lender, you may be eligible for discounts for your other insurance products.

4. Best for Online Application: Rocket Mortgage

You can complete the mortgage process entirely online with Rocket Mortgage®. If you need help, you can chat with mortgage specialists via the website or talk to them by phone. You can upload documents using its website or mobile app and also take a sneak peek at current mortgage rates on its site.

Take advantage of its helpful educational materials as well. Rocket Mortgage® boasts rave reviews from its customers. It offers fixed-rate VA mortgages with 15-, 25- and 30-year terms.

5. Best for Low Credit Score: Caliber Home Loans

Not everyone has perfect credit. Caliber Home Loans works with borrowers with credit scores as low as 580. With a score of 580–619, you may qualify for a fixed-rate mortgage. With a credit score of 620 or higher, you may qualify for ARMs as well.

Caliber Home Loans also offers several other loan products if a VA loan isn’t the right fit for you. Caliber is one of the top nonbank lenders in the country. 

What is a VA Loan?

VA loans are home loans that are guaranteed by the federal government through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). The VA home loan program was created in 1944 to assist military members with their home purchases. This was a great asset for military members returning from World War II. Over the years since the program began, over 24 million VA loans have been guaranteed by the government. 

The benefits of VA loans include:

• 0% down payment requirements
• No monthly mortgage insurance premiums or private mortgage insurance
• Limits on your closing costs
• Lower average interest rates than some other loan types
• No prepayment penalties
• Refinancing options to obtain lower monthly payments and interest rates
• Dedicated advocates to help homeowners avoid foreclosure

Requirements for a VA Loan

To qualify for a VA loan, you must meet the basic service requirements that are set by the Department of Veterans Affairs. The first requirement that will determine your eligibility is the length of time you were a service member. You must meet one of the following requirements:

• You served 90 consecutive days of active service during wartime.
• You served 181 days of active service during peacetime.
• You have 6 years of service in the National Guard or Reserves.
• You are the spouse of a military member who has passed away either in the line of duty or from a service-related disability.

Additionally, you need to meet requirements set by both the Department of Veterans Affairs and by your lender, including:

Certificate of Eligibility

Your Certificate of Eligibility proves to the lender that you qualify for VA loan benefits. While you do not need to have the certificate to apply for a VA loan, you will need to provide it at some point during your mortgage process. To get your certificate, provide your one or more of the following: Statement of Service, Report of Separation, Record of Service, Retirement Points Accounting and proof of the character of service. 

If you are seeking a home loan as a spouse, you’ll need to provide your marriage license, your spouse’s death certificate and a form obtained from the VA. The form you need depends on whether you receive Dependency and Indemnity Compensation benefits.

Credit Score

Each lender sets its own minimum credit score requirement for all loan types, including VA loans. Most often, the minimum credit score requirement is 620, but this can vary depending on the lender and your circumstances. You can find some of the credit score minimums for lenders of VA loans in Florida below.

Income Requirements

To qualify for a VA home loan, the Department of Veterans Affairs also has income requirements. The VA requires that all borrowers of VA loans maintain a certain amount of residual income each month after all major expenses are paid. This is required to ensure that all borrowers are receiving sufficient income to cover all of their financial obligations. The VA loan limit also helps determine the maximum loan amount eligible for a VA home loan.

Lender Specifics for VA Loans

While the Department of Veterans Affairs has requirements for VA home loans in Florida, you will find that each lender has its own set of requirements. This chart may come in handy as you compare some of the best mortgage companies available to you.

Interest Rates for VA

Your VA home loan will come with an interest rate that you will pay back throughout the lifetime of your mortgage. Most lenders offer many types of interest rates, including both adjustable and fixed-rate options. It is important to consider the pros and cons of each VA loan rate type before selecting the right one for you.

Adjustable-Rate

An adjustable interest rate may go up or down throughout the lifetime of your loan. Often, the starting interest rate with an adjustable-rate mortgage is lower than most fixed-rate mortgage options. However, your interest rate may increase in the future. If it does, you can expect to pay more each month on your mortgage. If you choose an adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM), you can expect your interest rate to be adjusted each year. 

You could ask your lender these questions if you're planning to get an ARM:

• How much will my interest rate and monthly payments vary with each adjustment?
• Are there caps on how high or low my interest rate might go?

Fixed Rate

Fixed-interest rate mortgages are a more predictable option. With a fixed-interest rate, you receive the interest rate you will be charged throughout the entire lifetime of your mortgage upfront. With a fixed-rate mortgage, it is possible that your interest rate is higher than the starting interest rate of an adjustable-rate mortgage. However, you will benefit from predictable monthly payments and an interest rate that does not adjust during the lifetime of your loan.

Do You Need Mortgage Insurance?

There are 2 different types of mortgage insurance. Private mortgage insurance (PMI) is designed to protect the lender. Mortgage protection insurance is designed to protect the borrower. If you become unable to make mortgage payments due to disability, loss of employment or death, mortgage protection insurance will cover your mortgage payments for you.

Most lenders require borrowers to take out private mortgage insurance if they place less than 20% on their down payment. However, if you take out a VA loan, you are not required to take out private mortgage insurance no matter what your down payment is. This means you may see significant savings over the lifetime of your loan compared to other mortgage types.

How to Apply

To apply for a VA loan in Florida, there are a few steps you’ll need to take. First, you will undergo the standard mortgage procedures, starting with getting a purchase quote or refinance quote.

You will want to determine whether you are eligible for the VA home loan based on the requirements listed above. If you think you may qualify, you should apply for your Certificate of Eligibility. You can do this through your online eBenefits portal or through the lender you have selected.

Once you’ve selected your VA loan lender, they can assist you in completing the application process for your VA loan.

Is a VA Loan Right for You?

If you’re a protected veteran who qualifies for VA home loans under the requirements listed above, it’s worth looking into. As a qualifying individual, you can receive the benefits of 0% down payments and waive the need for private mortgage insurance. These benefits specific to VA home loans help make home ownership more affordable for many military members and their families. 

Remember, before moving forward with any mortgage type, you will want to carefully compare and select your VA loan lender. Choose a lender that can offer you a competitive interest rate and customer service that you feel comfortable with committing to for many years to come. With the right lender and mortgage product, home ownership can be just around the corner.

Frequently Asked Questions