5 Best VA Home Lenders for 2025

Turbo Takeaways

If you’re a former or current member of the U.S. armed forces, you may qualify for a mortgage without a down payment or mortgage insurance. VA loans are backed by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and are an excellent option for a mortgage with minimal upfront costs.

VA loans are offered by many banks, credit unions, and online lenders, and comparing their rates, features, and qualification requirements can be difficult. To make things easier, we’ve rounded up the best VA loan lenders of 2025.

5 Best VA Loan Lenders for 2025

We reviewed 15 mortgage lenders offering VA home loans and evaluated them based on the rates they offer, customer satisfaction, credit score requirements, and experience in processing VA loans. Here are our recommendations for the best VA loan lenders in 2025.

1. Navy Federal Credit Union

• Interest Rate: 5.625% (6.045% APR)
• Minimum Credit Score: Not specified
• Minimum Down Payment: 0% for eligible borrowers
• Pre-approval Time: 3 business days

Navy Federal Credit Union is our top recommendation for VA loan lenders because of its low rates, quick pre-approval, and the perks it offers. All active duty, veteran, and retired service members, their immediate household members, and Department of Defense civilian personnel are eligible for credit union membership.

Like all VA mortgage loans, Navy Federal’s VA loans don’t require private mortgage insurance (PMI). In addition, they come with added perks like the ability to lock in your rate for 60 days, a rate match guarantee, and up to $9,000 in cash back when you work with a RealtyPlus® real estate agent.

2. PenFed

• Interest Rate: 5.5% (5.784% APR)
• Minimum Credit Score: 620
• Minimum Down Payment: 0% for eligible borrowers
• Pre-approval Time: 3 business days

PenFed offers very competitive rates and offers 0% down payment for qualifying borrowers. VA loan borrowers don’t need to pay PMI, but you must be a member to apply for the mortgage loan.

Joining the credit union is easy. You can open a savings account with a minimum of $5 to become a member and apply for the VA loan. You could get pre-approved for a VA loan in as little as three business days.

3. Veterans United 

• Interest Rate: 5.625% (6.061% APR)
• Minimum Credit Score: 620
• Minimum Down Payment: 0% for eligible borrowers
• Pre-approval Time: Not specified

Veterans United offers a variety of VA home loans and has been the top lender (by volume) for 2024. The income and credit score requirements are quite lenient, and the lender offers a variety of loans to choose from, such as VA cash-out refinance loans, energy-efficient mortgages, Interest Rate Reduction Refinance Loans (IRRRL), and Jumbo VA loans.  

4. Rocket Mortgage

• Interest Rate: 6.125% (6.555% APR)
• Minimum Credit Score: 580
• Minimum Down Payment: 0% for eligible borrowers
• Pre-approval Time: 15 minutes

Rocket Mortgage has an online application and closing process, which makes it easy and convenient for you to apply. Another advantage is that online pre-approval only takes 15 minutes.

Rocket Mortgage works with borrowers with credit scores as low as 580 and may consider higher debt-to-income ratios.

5. New American Funding

• Interest Rate: 5.750% (6.402% APR)
• Minimum Credit Score: 580
• Minimum Down Payment: 0% for eligible borrowers
• Pre-approval Time: 24 hours

New American Funding offers a wide range of VA home loan products, including VA cash-out refinance, VA streamline refinance loan, and energy-efficient mortgage. It also provides the VA Native American Direct Loan and the custom “I CAN” mortgage, which allows you to select a custom fixed loan term from 8 to 30 years.

Please note that interest rates and terms can change frequently. It's advisable to contact the lenders directly or visit their official websites for the most current information.

How To Qualify for a VA Home Loan With The Best Lenders

You must meet specific requirements to qualify with the best VA loan lenders. This loan program is available for active-duty service members, present and past members of the National Guard, veterans, and surviving spouses.

While there are no minimum credit score requirements for the loan program, most lenders will have their own requirements. You’ll also need to satisfy these service requirements set by the VA:

• Active-duty members and veterans must have served at least 181 days during peacetime or 90 days during wartime.
• National Guard members must have served at least six years of service in the Select Reserves or Guard or 90 days during wartime.
• The VA will consider the type of discharge and specific circumstances around it to determine eligibility.

If you’re eligible, you’ll need to get a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) from the VA to apply for a mortgage loan.

Tips for Choosing the Best VA Loan Lender

Many online lenders, credit unions, and banks offer VA loans. Consider your specific needs when choosing the best VA loan lenders. Here are a few key factors to keep in mind.

Compare Interest Rates and Fees

The VA loan rates you qualify for will depend on a few factors, including current economic conditions (upon which the Federal Reserve Bank sets the general level of short-term interest rates), loan terms, your income, your liquid assets, and your credit score. While all VA loans require a VA funding fee, you should also account for other costs like loan origination fees and closing costs.

Be sure to compare the annual percentage rate (APR) of VA loans instead of just the interest rate, as APR represents the total loan cost, including all lender fees. While interest rates show the base cost of borrowing, APRs provide a more accurate view of the total expense over interest rates, helping you evaluate the loans on an equal footing.

Since fees, expenses, and lending terms can vary significantly between loans, comparing APRs allows for a clearer, “apples-to-apples” comparison. This helps ensure you’re evaluating loan options fairly and choosing the most cost-effective one.

Whether you're a first-time homebuyer or refinancing, comparing at least three lenders can help you secure a lower interest rate and keep your mortgage payments affordable.

Research Lender Reputation

It's important to work with VA lenders who have expertise in the field. Start by researching how long a lender has been offering VA loans and how many they originate each year. Since VA loans can be complex, choosing an experienced lender can make the process smoother.

Additionally, check online reviews and borrower experiences to get a better understanding of a lender’s service quality. Moreover, ensure the lender is registered with the Nationwide Multistate Licensing System and Registry (NMLS) for added credibility.

Evaluate Customer Service

Mortgages require a lot of paperwork, and VA home loans may be more complicated because they also involve determining the borrower’s military status and eligibility. The best VA mortgage lenders will have experienced VA loan officers who can make the entire loan process seamless and stress-free.  

Make sure the lender is easy to get in touch with, responsive to questions and concerns, and can help you obtain specialized docs like the Certificate of Eligibility (COE).

Compare Your Options To Find the Best VA Home Loan Provider

VA home loans offer an easier path to homeownership for veterans, active duty service members, and surviving spouses. These loans don’t require any down payment and often come with very competitive interest rates compared to other conventional mortgage loans.

However, it is important to understand how VA loans work, what eligibility requirements are, and what costs are involved. Compare multiple loan options and read customer reviews to find the best VA mortgage lender. Most importantly, make sure the monthly payment is affordable.