804Mortgage helps Richmond-area veterans and active-duty military buy homes with zero down payment, no mortgage insurance, and competitive rates. Your VA benefit is earned — let's make sure you use it right.
VA Loan — Quick Facts
VA loan eligibility is broader than most people think. Here are the main qualifying groups.
Generally requires 90 consecutive days of active duty during wartime, or 181 days during peacetime. Discharged under conditions other than dishonorable.
Currently serving members who have completed 90 consecutive days of active duty service are typically eligible.
Members who have completed 6 years of service, or 90 days of active-duty service under Title 10 orders, including activation during wartime.
Un-remarried spouses of veterans who died in service or from a service-connected disability may be eligible for VA loan benefits.
Not sure if you qualify? Call us — we'll help you determine eligibility and obtain your Certificate of Eligibility (COE) from the VA.
No other mortgage program offers this combination of benefits — and it's yours because you earned it.
Buy a home without any down payment. On a $400,000 home, that means you keep $20,000–$80,000 in your pocket that a conventional buyer would need to bring to closing.
Unlike conventional and FHA loans, VA loans never require private mortgage insurance. On a $400k loan, that can save you $150–$250/month compared to a conventional borrower with less than 20% down.
VA loans typically carry lower interest rates than conventional loans for the same borrower profile — because the government guarantee reduces lender risk.
Eligible veterans with full entitlement can borrow above the conventional loan limit ($806,500) with zero down payment — making VA a powerful tool in higher-priced markets like Short Pump.
You can use your VA loan benefit more than once. If you've paid off a previous VA loan or sold the home, your entitlement is typically restored for future use.
The VA provides additional support to borrowers facing financial hardship, including counseling programs that help veterans avoid foreclosure.
The VA funding fee is a one-time charge paid to the Department of Veterans Affairs that helps sustain the program for future veterans. It can be rolled into your loan amount so you don't need to pay it out of pocket at closing.
The fee varies based on your down payment, whether it's your first or subsequent use of the VA benefit, and your military category. Veterans with a service-connected disability rating of 10% or higher are completely exempt from the funding fee.
Even with the funding fee, the VA loan typically saves eligible borrowers significantly over the life of the loan compared to FHA or conventional options — especially because there's no monthly mortgage insurance.
| Scenario | Down Payment | Funding Fee |
|---|---|---|
| First use | 0% | 2.15% |
| First use | 5–9.99% | 1.50% |
| First use | 10%+ | 1.25% |
| Subsequent use | 0% | 3.30% |
| Subsequent use | 5%+ | 1.50% |
| 10%+ disability rating | Any | Exempt |
| Surviving spouse | Any | Exempt |
Funding fee rates subject to change. Consult with 804Mortgage for your specific scenario.
For eligible veterans, VA is almost always the most advantageous option. Here's why.
| Feature | Conventional | FHA | VA | Jumbo |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Min. Down Payment | 3–5% | 3.5% | 0% | 10–20% |
| Min. Credit Score | 620 | 580 | 580–620 | 700+ |
| Mortgage Insurance | Removable at 20% | Life of loan | ✓ None Ever | Removable at 20% |
| Loan Limit | $806,500 | $524,225 | No limit | Above $806,500 |
| Down Payment Assistance | Limited | ✓ | ✓ Not Needed | ✗ |
| Eligibility Restriction | None | None | Veterans / Military | None |
We handle the VA paperwork — you focus on finding your home.
We help you obtain your Certificate of Eligibility (COE) directly from the VA — usually done in minutes online.
Fast VA pre-approval with a local lender. Your letter is ready quickly so you can make strong offers.
VA requires an appraisal by a VA-approved appraiser. Our agents know which homes will meet VA minimum property requirements.
We handle your VA loan from application to closing. No down payment, no surprises — just keys in your hand.
Our in-house real estate team gives you half the buyer-agent commission back at closing — on top of your VA zero-down benefit. On a $400,000 home, that's $6,000 back applied to closing costs. Stack your savings.
See How Bundle & Save Works →Not eligible for VA? We have options for every situation.
Let's confirm your eligibility and get you pre-approved. Zero down, no PMI — you earned this benefit. Let's use it.