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Mortgages

Veterans United Home Loans: VA Loan Specialists for Buying or Refinancing in 2025

4.0 /5
VA Mortgage

Our take: If you’re using a VA loan, it’s hard to beat a lender that lives and breathes them. Veterans United works almost exclusively with military borrowers. The team includes veterans and military family members, and they offer thoughtful touches like a free credit-building program for buyers who need more time to get mortgage-ready.

  • Specializes in VA loans and jumbo VA loans for veterans and service members
  • $0 down payment option available
  • No private mortgage insurance (PMI) required
  • High customer satisfaction and support
  • Provides only VA mortgage products
  • No home equity loans, HELOCs, or VA construction loans
  • Must work with a loan officer (no fully DIY online mortgage)
EligibilityActive-duty service members, veterans, and qualifying spouses
Min. credit scoreTypically 620
Down payment$0 required (but you can put money down if you’d like)
Mortgage Refinance
  • Offers both streamline (Interest Rate Reduction Refinance Loan, or IRRRL) and cash-out refinance options
  • Streamlined process for existing Veterans United customers
  • No appraisal or income verification for IRRRL
  • Can access equity through cash-out refi
  • Only available for existing VA loan borrowers
  • Limited flexibility if you want non-VA refinance options
  • Cash-out refi may come with stricter credit requirements
EligibilityMust have VA loan with 6+ consecutive payments and be 210+ days past first payment, with no 30-day late payments in the past year (for IRRRL)
Credit check?No (for IRRRL); Yes (for cash-out refi)
Appraisal required?Only for IRRRL loans over $1 million; yes (for cash-out refinance)
Table of Contents

What is Veterans United Home Loans?

Veterans United Home Loans (NMLS #1907) is one of the biggest names in VA lending—and for good reason.

Based in Columbia, Missouri, the company has been the top VA purchase lender in the U.S. for nine years straight. It holds an A+ BBB rating and a near-perfect 4.9 out of 5 on Trustpilot, based on more than 12,000 reviews.

Borrowers often describe their experience with Veterans United as smooth, supportive, and refreshingly stress-free, which is good to hear for a process as big as buying a home.

Veterans United home loans review

Great for military members

4.0 /5

VA home loans

VA loans are the centerpiece of Veterans United’s offerings. These government-backed mortgages are designed to give eligible service members, veterans, and military families easier access to homeownership.

Veterans United offers two loan types:

VA purchase loans

Veterans United’s bread and butter is the VA Purchase Loan, which allows qualified borrowers to buy a home with no down payment, no PMI, and competitive rates. These loans can be used for single-family homes, condos, multi-unit properties, or even new builds.

The Veterans United home loan is ideal for:

  • First-time buyers without a big savings cushion
  • Veterans and servicemembers who want to avoid PMI
  • Those who need a mortgage that doesn’t require perfect credit
VA jumbo loans

In higher-cost markets, VA jumbo loans let buyers exceed the standard VA loan limit—currently $806,500 in most counties for 2025, with even higher limits in designated high-cost areas—without needing a large down payment. Veterans United offers these loans with the same core benefits as traditional VA loans: $0 down, no PMI, and strong customer support.

This loan is best for:

  • Borrowers in expensive real estate markets
  • Buyers with strong credit and income who want to avoid a jumbo conventional mortgage

Veterans United refinance options

4.0 /5

Mortgage refinance

Veterans United offers refinancing options through the VA loan program for borrowers to lower their rate or change their terms, or tap equity for cash to fund expenses or debt consolidation.

VA streamline refinance (IRRRL)

An IRRRL is a low-hassle way to lower your interest rate and monthly payment if you already have a VA loan. These refinances often don’t require income verification or a new appraisal.

But you’ll typically need to be at least 210 days out from your first payment and have made six on-time monthly payments, with no recent 30-day late payments.

VA cash-out refinance

A cash-out refinance through Veterans United allows eligible borrowers to refinance a non-VA or VA loan and access cash from their home equity. Veterans can typically borrow up to 90% of their home’s value. But you risk losing your home if you can’t repay the loan.

Who qualifies for a Veterans United VA loan?

Eligibility is based on your service record. You may qualify if you identify with one of the following:

  • Served 90 days during wartime or 181 days during peacetime
  • Completed six years in the National Guard or Reserves
  • Are a surviving spouse of a service member

You’ll also need to meet credit and income requirements set by Veterans United. However, those guidelines tend to be more flexible than conventional loan requirements.

Veterans United Lighthouse program

If your credit score needs work, Veterans United offers its Lighthouse Program for free. This one-on-one service helps borrowers improve their credit and financial readiness so they can qualify for a VA loan down the road.

What are the benefits of using Veterans United for a VA loan?

Pros

  • Deep expertise in VA loans

    Specialists who focus exclusively on VA lending.

  • Tailored tools for military borrowers

    Designed to simplify the VA loan process.

  • Veteran and military spouse staff

    Many team members share military life experiences, offering extra understanding.

  • Strong customer support

    Real people available to guide borrowers through the homebuying journey.

Cons

  • VA loan–only focus

    Not a fit if you want other types of mortgage products.

  • Limited loan options

    No home equity loans, HELOCs, or construction loans.

How Veterans United compares to other mortgage lenders

Veterans United offers a different experience than most traditional lenders. While big banks or online lenders cast a wide net, VU sticks to what it knows: VA loans. That focus means more tailored support, fewer roadblocks, and a smoother experience for military families.

Compared to credit unions like Navy Federal or USAA, Veterans United may not offer as many bundled banking perks—but it often delivers more one-on-one guidance through the homebuying process. And with higher customer ratings on Trustpilot and the BBB, it’s clear that personal touch is paying off.

FAQ

Does Veterans United do home equity loans?

No. Veterans United does not offer home equity loans or HELOCs. Its focus is on VA purchase loans and VA refinance options, so if you need to tap into your home’s equity, you’d have to look at other lenders.

What is the $42,000 VA housing benefit?

The $42,000 figure often refers to the maximum VA Specially Adapted Housing (SAH) grant, which helps certain veterans with service-connected disabilities build or modify a home to meet their needs.

It isn’t a general VA loan benefit and doesn’t apply to all borrowers. Most veterans instead use the VA loan program, which allows for zero down payment and no private mortgage insurance.

Does Veterans United offer construction loans?

No. Veterans United doesn’t provide VA construction loans. Its products are centered on traditional VA purchase loans and refinancing. Veterans who need construction financing usually have to work with a local lender or explore other VA-approved banks and credit unions.

How we rated Veterans United

Since 2019, LendEDU has evaluated mortgage companies to help readers find the best mortgages. Our latest analysis reviewed 228 data points from 12 lenders and financial institutions, with 19 data points collected from each. This information is gathered from company websites, online applications, public disclosures, customer reviews, and direct communication with company representatives.

These star ratings help us determine which companies are best for different situations. We don’t believe two companies can be the best for the same purpose, so we only show each best-for designation once.

Company Product Rating (0-5)
Purchase mortgage
Mortgage refinance
Article sources

At LendEDU, our writers and editors rely on primary sources, such as government data and websites, industry reports and whitepapers, and interviews with experts and company representatives. We also reference reputable company websites and research from established publishers. This approach allows us to produce content that is accurate, unbiased, and supported by reliable evidence. Read more about our editorial standards.

About our contributors

  • Cassidy Horton, MBA
    Written by Cassidy Horton, MBA

    Cassidy Horton is a finance writer passionate about helping people find financial freedom. With an MBA and a bachelor's in public relations, her work has been published more than 1,000 times online.

  • Amanda Hankel
    Edited by Amanda Hankel

    Amanda Hankel is a managing editor at LendEDU. She has more than seven years of experience covering various finance-related topics and has worked for more than 15 years overall in writing, editing, and publishing.