Having two VA mortgage loans might seem like a complicated situation, but it's not entirely impossible. You can have two VA mortgage loans if you meet the VA's guidelines for a second loan, which includes using the loan for a different purpose than the first loan.
You can use a second VA loan for things like home renovations or to purchase a vacation home. The VA allows you to use a second loan for a purchase price up to $1 million, which can be a game-changer for those looking to buy a second home.
To qualify for a second VA loan, you'll need to have enough entitlement available to cover the loan amount. The VA will also consider your credit score, income, and other factors when determining your eligibility for a second loan.
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What is a VA Mortgage Loan?
A VA mortgage loan is a type of home loan guaranteed by the Department of Veterans Affairs, making it easier for eligible veterans, active-duty military personnel, and surviving spouses to buy, build, or improve a home.
VA mortgage loans have a funding fee, which can be financed into the loan or paid upfront, and the fees can vary depending on the loan amount, type, and the borrower's military category.
The VA mortgage loan benefit is available to eligible veterans and military personnel, and it allows them to purchase a home with little to no down payment and lower interest rates.
What
A VA mortgage loan is a type of home loan guaranteed by the US Department of Veterans Affairs. It's designed to help eligible veterans, active-duty military personnel, and surviving spouses achieve homeownership.
You can use a VA loan program more than once if you already have a VA loan or have previously used a VA-backed loan.
VA entitlement refers to the amount of money the VA guarantees for a loan. This entitlement is a key factor in determining how much you can borrow with a VA loan.
To get another VA loan, you'll need to meet certain requirements and follow the VA's guidelines. You can use the VA loan program to buy a second home, but you'll need to meet the VA's requirements for a second home loan.
You can get two VA loans at the same time, but you'll need to meet the VA's requirements for multiple loans.
Home
If you're a veteran, you can use a VA loan to purchase a second home, but there are some rules to follow. You'll need to have remaining entitlement, which is a type of benefit that comes with a VA loan.
To qualify for a second VA loan, you'll need to demonstrate that you're financially prepared for the mortgage payments of an additional loan. You'll also need to show that the second VA loan provides at least one "net tangible benefit", such as relocating closer to a new duty station or eliminating monthly mortgage insurance.
Here are some examples of qualifying net tangible benefits:
- Relocation closer to a new duty station
- Eliminating monthly mortgage insurance
- Accessing a shorter loan term
- Locking in a lower interest rate or monthly payment
- Refinancing from an ARM to a fixed-rate mortgage
You can use a VA loan to buy a second home, but you'll need to hold onto your current home and use your remaining VA loan entitlement. This typically requires the use of second-tier entitlement, and you might need to put money down.
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Eligibility and Requirements
To qualify for a VA loan, you'll generally need a FICO credit score of at least 580 with Rocket Mortgage. Your monthly debts, including your new estimated mortgage payment, should equal no more than 43% of your gross monthly income.
You'll also need a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) from the VA, which confirms you're eligible for the VA loan program. A COE doesn't guarantee loan approval, but it's what lenders love to see, as it indicates the government will be backing a portion of the loan.
To be eligible for a second VA loan, you must meet the same service requirements as for a normal VA home loan. This includes being in the reserves, full-time active duty, or a qualifying spouse of a veteran.
Understanding
VA loan entitlement is the dollar amount the VA guarantees on your loan, generally 25 percent of the loan amount, which can help determine how much a Veteran can borrow.
The VA loan entitlement is made up of two layers: a basic level and a second-tier of entitlement. This means that when both are fully in place, Veterans can borrow as much as a lender is willing to lend without the need for a down payment.
Eligible Veterans in most parts of the country have a primary entitlement of $36,000 and an additional secondary entitlement of $165,625. This adds up to a total entitlement of $201,625, based on the 2025 standard loan limit of $806,500.
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Meet the Requirements
To qualify for a VA loan, you'll generally need a FICO credit score of at least 580 with Rocket Mortgage. Your monthly debts, including your new estimated mortgage payment, should equal no more than 43% of your gross monthly income.
VA loan entitlement is the dollar amount the VA guarantees on your loan. This entitlement can help determine how much a Veteran can borrow.
Eligible Veterans in most parts of the country have a primary entitlement of $36,000 and an additional secondary entitlement of $165,625. Add those together, and you get $201,625.
The service requirements for a second VA loan are the same as normal VA home loans. This means people who are in the reserves, full-time active duty, or a qualifying spouse of a veteran may all apply for the loan.
To qualify for a second VA loan, you must be current on your loan payments on your existing VA loan. The VA lender will look closely at your credit report to make sure the last 12 months' payments have also been made on time.
Your debt-to-income ratio will be scrutinized to make sure you can make all of your existing payments along with the 2 house payments.
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Getting Another
If you're interested in getting another VA loan, you have a few options. You can pay off the original VA loan in full, which is generally the best option. You'll need to have enough remaining entitlement for a new loan, on top of your existing one.
To get another VA loan, you'll need to go through the same application process and restore your entitlement if you've previously used a VA-backed loan. You can also use the VA loan program more than once, but you'll need to meet the eligibility requirements.
You can have two VA loans at the same time, but it's typically for active service members who receive PCS orders. You'll need to demonstrate that you're financially prepared for the mortgage payments of an additional loan and that the second VA loan provides at least one "net tangible benefit."
Here are some examples of qualifying net tangible benefits:
- Relocation closer to a new duty station
- Eliminating monthly mortgage insurance
- Accessing a shorter loan term
- Locking in a lower interest rate or monthly payment
- Refinancing from an ARM to a fixed-rate mortgage
You can also use second-tier entitlement to buy a home after a default or to have two VA loans at one time. This entitlement allows you to buy a home after a foreclosure or short sale, but you'll need to consider how much house you can buy before needing to factor in a down payment.
You can calculate your VA Loan savings to determine how much you can afford to spend on a new home. Our mortgage experts update our information to help you make informed homebuying and selling decisions.
Using a Second VA Mortgage Loan
You can use the VA loan program more than once, but you'll pay a slightly higher VA funding fee for a second VA mortgage.
To be eligible for another VA loan, you can use your remaining entitlement, which means you haven't used your full entitlement yet. This could allow you to have two open VA loans at the same time, but you'd need to demonstrate qualifying income and credit to afford the monthly payment for both mortgages.
It's technically possible to have two VA loans at the same time, but you'll need enough remaining entitlement for a new loan on top of your existing one. Generally, the best option is to pay off the original VA loan in full before getting a new one.
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Pay Off Current Debt
You can get a second VA mortgage loan even if you've had a VA loan in the past, but you need to pay off the full loan amount first.
If you've paid off your previous VA loan, you'll go through the same application process as a first-time borrower.
Paying off your current VA loan is a crucial step in getting another VA mortgage loan.
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Use Your Remaining
You can use your remaining entitlement to get a new VA loan, but this is uncommon and requires demonstrating qualifying income and credit to afford the monthly payments for both mortgages.
To have two open VA loans, you'd need to have enough remaining entitlement for a new loan on top of your existing one. The VA home loan benefit has occupancy requirements, so you'll likely need to be planning to move into the new home.
Paying off your current VA loan in full is generally the best option if you're interested in getting a new VA loan. This will allow you to restore your entitlement and go through the application process again.
You can also restore your entitlement if another VA-eligible borrower assumes your VA loan. This means you can use the VA loan program again.
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Special Situations
You can have two VA mortgage loans, but there are some special situations where it might be more complicated.
If you're a veteran who's also a surviving spouse, you may be eligible for a VA loan even if you're not a veteran yourself.
You can use a VA loan to purchase a home, but you can't use it to buy investment properties or vacation homes.
In some cases, you can have two VA loans if you're using one for a home purchase and the other for a home renovation.
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Calculating and Applying
You can have a VA loan amount of up to $225,000, with the VA guaranteeing $56,250. This means you can get another VA home loan up to $285,400.
The VA guarantee is ¼ of the total loan amount. To calculate your entitlement, subtract the guaranteed amount from your full entitlement of $127,600. This leaves you with $71,350, which can be used for another VA loan.
You can use your secondary entitlement of $99,300 to get a second VA loan, if you qualify. This is possible because the VA used to cap loan limits until 2020, and now there are no limits for those with full entitlement.
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Calculating Amounts
The VA guarantees ¼ of the total loan amount, which is $62,500 in one example. This means you'd get a $62,500 entitlement.
The total entitlement is $161,800, so subtracting the guaranteed amount leaves $99,300 in secondary entitlement. This makes it possible to get a second VA loan if you qualify.
Housing prices vary widely in the U.S., with a $189,000 bungalow in Dothan, Ala., costing $1.89 million in San Francisco. The VA used to cap loan guarantees, but now there are no limits if you have full entitlement.
The primary basic entitlement is $36,000, and the secondary entitlement is $91,600. The combined full entitlement is $127,600.
If you're approved for a VA loan, the VA guarantees ¼ of the total loan amount, such as $56,250 on a $225,000 loan. Subtracting the guaranteed amount leaves $71,350.
This remaining amount can be used to qualify for another VA home loan up to $285,400 without a down payment.
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How to Apply
To apply for a VA loan, you'll need to meet with a private mortgage lender. Most lenders offer VA loans, so you should be able to find one that meets your needs.
The Department of Veterans Affairs insures VA loans, but you'll still need to go through a private lender to apply. This can make the process a bit more complicated, but it's still a great option for eligible veterans.
First, you'll need to find a private lender that offers VA loans. You can do this by searching online or asking for referrals from other veterans.
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Sources
- https://themortgagereports.com/108744/can-i-get-a-second-va-home-loan
- https://www.rocketmortgage.com/learn/joint-va-loan
- https://www.veteransunited.com/valoans/second-tier-entitlement/
- https://www.militarymoney.com/housing/va-loans/can-i-get-a-second-va-loan/
- https://www.madisonmortgageguys.com/va-second-tier-entitlement/
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