In order to qualify for the VA loan, you should have served in the Air Force, Army, Navy, Coast Guard or Marine Corps. However, you should have served for a certain period. If you have served during the war time, it is essential that you have served for at least ninety days. If you have served during the peacetime, you should have served at least one hundred eighty-one continuous days. Additionally, you should have not been discharged dishonorably.

You will be eligible for the VA loan for other conditions as well as long as you are eligible as determined by the VA department. You may qualify if you have been dismissed because of disability, which resulted from rendering your services or when the government authorizes it for its convenience. However, all of this has to be properly determined first.

There are different people who can benefit from this type of loan. Aside from the military personnel and the veterans, the surviving spouse of the deceased qualified personnel can also avail of this. The surviving spouse should remain unmarried in order to be eligible. Many want to avail this type of loan not only because of the fixed rates but also because of the fact that it guaranteed by the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs.

You will be able to know if you are eligible by applying for a Certificate of Eligibility. You can do so by filling out the form named VA Form 26-1880, Request For a Certificate of Eligibility for Home Loan Benefits. You can download the form online. Your form should be submitted with supporting documents of military services. If you do not have this, the Veteran Affairs can help you establish this. However, it will take more time. After filling up the form and attaching your proofs, file it in your designated VA eligibility center.

There are lenders who can check if you qualify for a VA loan by checking a system. They can check the Certificate of Eligibility for you. Just make sure that you bring with you the supporting documents. However, there are instances when this is not readily available. The Veteran Affairs may have difficulty processing your application through this, which is why it is essential that you talk to the lender first to verify the matter especially if your case is uncommon.

Before the person can apply for this type of loan, he will go through a strict process. This is to ensure that only the eligible applicants are accepted. VA loan has various benefits. One is the fact that the interest rates are low especially today, where the competition in the real estate market is tough. Once you have been approved, the remaining steps will be much easier because you are backed by the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs.

Before applying for a Certificate of Eligibility, check if you can qualify for VA loan. It is not enough that you have served as military personnel, it is essential that you have completed the required period. The VA can help you establish this. However, it is best if you know this for a fact and that you can present proofs to speed up the process.