Married military couples have some choices when it comes to using their VA home loan benefits.
VA-eligible spouses can decide to:
- Use all of one spouse’s entitlement
- Split their entitlement evenly
- Use one spouse's remaining entitlement from a previous VA loan, with the other spouse using their entitlement for the rest
Entitlement is basically the dollar amount the VA pledges to repay if the borrower defaults. On most loans above $144,000, the entitlement utilized is a quarter of the purchase price.
Dividing Responsibility
The first option, involving using just one spouse’s entitlement, allows the couple to save the other partner’s entitlement for future use. In this case, the spouse who is not applying for the loan would only have a financial obligation if he or she co-signed or co-borrowed on the mortgage or if the loan was executed in a community property state.
Mil-to-mil couples can also split their VA loan entitlement evenly for a VA home loan. Each spouse would need to be on the loan, meaning each person would be financially obligated and would need to meet requirements for credit score and other guidelines. Such loans do not require prior approval from the VA.
» CALCULATE: Calculate your VA Loan savings
Combined Loans
One of the other options for married military couples is to combine the remaining entitlement of one spouse from a previous VA home loan with the rest of the entitlement coming from the second spouse. If one member of the couple previously purchased a home with a VA loan and lacks full entitlement but has some to use on the new loan, this can be a good option for the couple.
For combined loans, both spouses will have to meet credit and underwriting requirements. Although one borrower’s weakness can be compensated by the other borrower’s strengths when income and assets are reviewed, the same does not apply for credit scores. The VA makes it clear: “Satisfactory credit of one veteran cannot compensate for the other’s poor credit.” If you or your spouse can’t quite clear the credit hurdle, consider these options for getting a VA loan when your spouse has bad credit.
Mil-to-mil couples must follow occupancy rules just as any other homeowner using a VA loan. Veteran couples are prevented from using their entitlements separately to buy two homes at once because they are subject to occupancy requirements.
If you’re thinking about using your VA home loan benefit to purchase a home with your spouse or another eligible veteran, bring your questions to a Veterans United Home Loans specialist day or night at 888-392-7421.
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