VA Loans & Military Families
VA Home Loans in Florida
A VA loan is a mortgage guaranteed by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs for eligible service members, veterans, and some surviving spouses. Eligible borrowers can buy with $0 down and pay no monthly mortgage insurance. A one-time VA funding fee usually applies unless you are exempt, such as for a service-connected disability.
Last updated October 7, 2026
A Marine wife serving those who serve
Jennyffer Kurz is the wife of a United States Marine. She knows the military life — the deployments, the PCS moves, the paperwork — and that is exactly why helping service members, veterans, and surviving spouses use their VA home loan benefit is the most meaningful part of her work.
She works with borrowers from every branch, buying and refinancing homes across Florida — from Jacksonville and Pensacola to Tampa, Orlando, and Miami.
- U.S. Marine Corps
- U.S. Army
- U.S. Navy
- U.S. Air Force
- U.S. Space Force
- U.S. Coast Guard
- National Guard
- Reserves
VA requirements
| Eligibility | Certificate of Eligibility (COE) based on service history |
|---|---|
| Down payment | $0 down for eligible borrowers with full entitlement |
| Mortgage insurance | None monthly |
| Funding fee | One-time fee that varies by use and down payment; waived for many disabled veterans |
| Occupancy | Primary residence (1–4 units) |
| Property | VA appraisal and minimum property requirements; condos must be VA-approved |
Florida-specific considerations
Florida has a large military community and many installations, including NAS Jacksonville, Naval Station Mayport, MacDill AFB in Tampa, Eglin AFB, NAS Pensacola, Patrick Space Force Base, and Homestead Air Reserve Base. Buyers relocating on PCS orders can often use a VA loan to buy before or soon after arriving, with occupancy rules that account for deployments.
Florida offers property tax benefits for qualifying veterans, including exemptions for veterans with service-connected disabilities, in addition to the standard homestead exemption. These are applied for through your county property appraiser after you close and can meaningfully lower your payment.
Like any Florida purchase, budget for homeowners insurance with windstorm coverage and flood insurance where required. Condo buyers should confirm the building is on the VA's approved condo list, especially in coastal South Florida.
For 2026, FHFA's baseline conforming loan limit for a one-unit property is $832,750 (two-unit: $1,066,250). In Florida, only Monroe County (the Florida Keys) has a higher limit, $990,150. Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach, Orange, Hillsborough, and every other Florida county use the $832,750 baseline. A loan above the applicable limit is a jumbo loan.
Sources: FHFA: Conforming Loan Limit Values for 2026; Florida Realtors: FHFA sets 2026 caps
Who a VA loan is for
- Active-duty service members, including those on PCS orders
- Veterans of the Marine Corps, Army, Navy, Air Force, Space Force, and Coast Guard
- National Guard and Reserve members who meet service requirements
- Eligible surviving spouses
- Veterans who want to refinance with a VA IRRRL or cash-out refinance
Step-by-step process
- 01
Get your COE
Jennyffer can usually request your Certificate of Eligibility electronically.
- 02
Pre-approval
Review income, credit, and residual income to set your budget.
- 03
Find your home
Confirm condo approval and flood zone as you shop.
- 04
VA appraisal
A VA appraiser confirms value and minimum property requirements.
- 05
Underwriting and closing
Clear conditions, review your Closing Disclosure, and get your keys.
Related programs
Related guides
VA loan FAQs
Do I really need $0 down for a VA loan?
Eligible borrowers with full entitlement can buy with no down payment, subject to credit and income approval. Some borrowers choose to put money down to reduce the funding fee or their loan amount. Jennyffer will walk through both options so you can decide what fits your goals.
What is the VA funding fee?
The funding fee is a one-time charge that helps sustain the VA loan program. The amount depends on whether it's your first use, your down payment, and the loan type, and it can be financed into the loan. Veterans receiving VA compensation for a service-connected disability are generally exempt.
Can I use my VA loan more than once?
Yes. VA entitlement can be restored after you sell and pay off a previous VA loan, and in some cases you can have more than one VA loan at a time using remaining entitlement. Jennyffer can review your COE to explain what's available to you.
Can National Guard and Reserve members get VA loans?
Yes, Guard and Reserve members who meet minimum service requirements — or who were activated under qualifying orders — can be eligible. Your Certificate of Eligibility confirms it, and Jennyffer can help request it.
Can I buy a condo with a VA loan in Florida?
Yes, as long as the condominium project is approved by the VA. Many Florida buildings are on the list, but not all. Checking approval before making an offer is an important step, especially for coastal high-rise buildings.
Is there a VA refinance option?
Yes. The VA Interest Rate Reduction Refinance Loan (IRRRL) can streamline a refinance from an existing VA loan, and a VA cash-out refinance can be used to access equity or refinance a non-VA loan into a VA loan. Whether it makes sense depends on your costs and goals.
Does a VA loan have a minimum credit score?
The VA itself does not set a minimum credit score, but lenders do set their own requirements. VA underwriting also looks at residual income — the money left over each month after major expenses — to make sure the payment is comfortable.
Ready to see what you qualify for?
Apply online in minutes, or estimate your payment first.
Equal Housing Lender. This is not a commitment to lend. All loans are subject to credit approval, underwriting guidelines, and property eligibility. Program availability, terms, and guidelines may change without notice. Information is for educational purposes only.