
VA Loan Limits for 2026
VA loan limits follow the conforming loan limits set by the Federal Housing Finance Authority.


VA loan limits follow the conforming loan limits set by the Federal Housing Finance Authority.


The VA Funding Fee is a one-time charge that replaces mortgage insurance and ranges from 1.25% to 3.3% of the total loan amount.


VA loans typically don't require a down payment, but you still need decent credit and sufficient income to get approved.


VA loans require no down payment, but conventional loans are worth considering, especially if you can put 20% down to avoid mortgage insurance.


VA loans are for current and veteran service members, as well as eligible spouses. VA mortgages have competitive interest rates and usually require no down payment.


An 80-10-10 or piggyback loan lets you buy a home with two loans totaling 90% of the price, plus a 10% down payment.


You don't need equity in your home to get an FHA Title 1 loan, but there are maximum loan amounts to consider.


Construction loans pay for home building or renovations and are paid in full or converted to permanent mortgages when the work is completed.



Our step-by-step guide details the mortgage application process, explaining what you do and what the lender does.


A 15-year mortgage lets you own your home faster and pay less interest. Higher monthly payments are the trade-off.


A longer repayment period qualifies buyers for lower payments or a pricier home. But the rate will be higher and you'll pay more interest over the life of the loan.


An interest-only mortgage offers a lower monthly payment at first and is best suited for people with ample assets, good credit and short-term ownership plans.


Pros include low introductory rates; cons include the potential for bigger payments over time.


You can wait for PMI to cancel automatically, request early cancellation, get a reappraisal or refinance the mortgage to get rid of it.


To get a mortgage, you’ll generally need a decent credit score and sufficient down payment — though exact requirements vary by loan type and lender.


A no-closing-cost refinance eliminates upfront fees but results in a higher monthly payment.


PMI protects your lender. You’re required to pay it if you put down less than 20% on a conventional loan or have less than 20% home equity when refinancing.


The break-even point of a refinance occurs when savings equal costs. Here’s how to do the math.


You can get the best mortgage rate by knowing what lenders are looking for, shopping around and paying aggressively upfront.
