The term "veteran", for VA housing loan purposes, includes most past and current members of all branches of the military, members of the National Guard, reservists, and certain categories of spouses. To determine your status online go to www.benefits.va.gov/homeloans/elig_center.asp, and apply for a Certificate of Eligibility (COE), which any lender will require prior to processing a VA loan application.

Before shopping for a home, real estate agent or lender, potential borrowers are strongly encouraged to also:

1. review the online VA pamphlets, “VA Home Loans – A Quick Guide for Homebuyers and Real Estate Professionals” online at www.benefits.va.gov/homeloans/pamphlet.asp and “VA-Guaranteed Home Loans for Veterans”, also online at www.benefits.va.gov/homeloans/docs/vap_26-4_online_version.pdf
2. review the information on the VA Loan Guaranty Home Loan Program web site at www.benefits.va.gov/homeloans
3. contact your local VA Regional Loan Center. A complete listing of Regional Loan Centers is available online at www.benefits.va.gov/homeloans/rlcweb.asp.