How to Buy a Home with a VA-Backed Loan
To buy a home with a VA-backed home loan, first you will need to apply for a Certificate of Eligibility (COE). This tells private lenders that you have VA home loan eligibility and entitlement. This is the first step in getting a VA-backed loan or Native American Direct Loan. You will need to provide documentation of your service. For veterans and current or former National Guard or Reserve members, you will need a copy of your discharge papers, known as your DD-214 for activated members, or, for those who were not activated, a copy of their latest annual retirement points and proof of their honorable service. If you no longer have copies, you should be able to retrieve them from https://www.archives.gov/ veterans. Active duty service members and activated National Guard or Reserve Members will need to provide a statement of service signed by their commander with their full name, social security number, date of birth, date they entered duty, duration of any lost time, and the name of the commander providing the information. Surviving spouses will need to provide their veteran’s DD-214, and if they are receiving Dependency & Indemnity Compensation (DIC), they will need to fill out VA form 26-1817, Request for Determination of Loan Guaranty Eligibility—Unmarried Surviving Spouses. If they are not receiving DIC, they will need to apply and provide a copy of their marriage license and the veteran’s death certificate. Once you have all your documents, you can apply for your Certificate of Eligibility either online on the VA website (https://www.va.gov/housing-assistance/home-loans/how-to- request-coe/), or request an application by mail from the VA. In
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