If you served and you're thinking about buying a home in Texas, the VA home loan is worth understanding before you talk to anyone. Here's how it works.
What is a VA loan?
A VA loan is a mortgage made by a private lender and partially guaranteed by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. The guarantee lets lenders offer terms that can be more flexible than other loans. Many eligible borrowers can buy with no down payment.
Who is eligible?
Eligibility depends on your service history: length and type of service, discharge status, and whether you served on active duty, in the National Guard, or in the Reserves. Surviving spouses of certain service members may also qualify. The VA decides eligibility, and your lender can usually help you request your Certificate of Eligibility (COE).
Entitlement and loan limits
Your entitlement is the amount the VA guarantees. If you have full entitlement, there is no VA-imposed loan limit, and your lender's underwriting sets what you qualify for. If you have remaining entitlement, county limits can matter. The 2026 baseline county limit is $832,750 in most of the country. Read more: VA loan limits in 2026, explained.
The funding fee
Most VA loans have a one-time funding fee, which can be paid at closing or rolled into the loan. Veterans who receive VA compensation for a service-connected disability are generally exempt. Ask your lender to confirm.
The appraisal
A VA appraisal checks value and basic safety standards. It isn't a home inspection, and we recommend getting an independent inspection too. The VA also simplified some minimum property requirements for appraisals ordered on or after May 1, 2026. See what changed in VA appraisals.
Credit
The VA doesn't set a minimum credit score. Some lenders add their own, called overlays. At Veteran Mortgage One, there is no minimum credit score requirement. Every file is reviewed individually and is subject to underwriting approval.
Texas perks to know about
Disabled veterans in Texas may qualify for property tax exemptions, which can lower the ongoing cost of owning a home. See Texas veteran benefits you may have missed.
Next step
Ask your lender these 8 questions before you commit, or call us and we'll walk through your situation with no pressure.
Questions about your VA benefit?
Talk with a VA loan specialist. No pressure, no obligation.
Get Pre-QualifiedVeteran Mortgage One is a DBA of MortgageOne, Inc., NMLS #898812, and an Equal Housing Lender. This article is for general information only and is not legal, tax, or financial advice. Program rules, fees, and eligibility are set by the VA and lenders and can change. All loans are subject to credit approval, underwriting, and property eligibility requirements.