How Veterans Can Optimize Every Benefit They’ve Earned

1. Start With Your VA Loan Certificate of Eligibility (COE)

Your COE is the key that unlocks every VA home benefit. But many veterans assume it’s complicated or time-consuming to get.

Good news: it’s simple — and most lenders can pull it instantly.

Your COE tells us:

• Whether you qualify
• How much VA entitlement you have
• Whether you owe any funding fee
  

Tip: Even if you’ve used a VA loan before, you may still have remaining entitlement.

2. Take Advantage of the $0 Down Payment Benefit

The VA loan is one of the last true zero-down programs in the country — and it’s often misunderstood.

$0 down doesn’t mean high payments.
In fact, VA loans typically offer:

• Lower monthly payments
• Lower interest rates
• No mortgage insurance (ever)
  

This alone can save veterans tens of thousands of dollars over the life of a loan.

3. Skip PMI — One of the Most Overlooked Savings

Conventional loans charge private mortgage insurance (PMI) if you put less than 20% down. VA loans never charge PMI.

That’s an average savings of:

• $150–$300/month for many buyers
• $1,800–$3,600 per year
• $20,000–$50,000 over a typical mortgage term
  

You’ve earned it — make sure you keep it.

4. Understand the VA Funding Fee (and How to Avoid It)

Not every veteran pays the VA funding fee. You may be exempt if:

• You have a disability rating
• You're an active Purple Heart recipient
• You receive VA compensation
• You’re a surviving spouse of a veteran who passed in service or from a service-related disability
  

This exemption can save you thousands upfront.

5. Use Your Benefit More Than Once — Even More Than Twice

One of the biggest myths in homebuying is that VA loans are “one-time use.”

Not true.

You can:

• Reuse your VA loan benefit
• Restore your eligibility after selling a home
• Have more than one VA loan at the same time (under specific conditions)
  

Your service earns you lifetime homebuying power — make sure you use it.

6. Refinance the Smart Way: VA IRRRL (Streamline Refi)

The VA’s Interest Rate Reduction Refinance Loan (IRRRL) is hands-down one of the easiest refinances available.

It lets you:

• Lower your payment
• Reduce your rate
• Skip income verification
• Skip an appraisal
• Skip most closing costs (rolled into loan if needed)
  

If rates ever drop for even a moment, this is the fastest way for veterans to save.

7. Consider a VA Cash-Out Refinance

If you want to access your home’s equity for:

• Debt consolidation
• Home improvements
• Investments
• Major life expenses
  

A VA cash-out refinance can allow you to tap equity at competitive rates — often up to 90–100% loan-to-value, depending on eligibility.

8. Work With Lenders Who Specialize in Veterans

Not every lender fully understands VA loans — and many end up telling veterans misinformation that costs them money.

A veteran-focused lender should:

• Pull your COE for you
• Know the exact rules for funding fee exemptions
• Understand residual income requirements
• Help you structure zero-down offers that actually get accepted
• Protect your benefit and entitlement
  

The right team makes a huge difference in ensuring you get every advantage.

9. Use State-Level and Local Veteran Programs Too

Beyond the federal VA benefit, many states offer additional perks like:

• Down payment assistance
• Lower property taxes
• Tax exemptions for disabled veterans
• Grants for home improvements
• Special incentives for first-time VA buyers
  

A good loan advisor will help you check what your state offers.

10. Don’t Leave Money on the Table — Combine Benefits

Veterans can stack multiple advantages together:

• $0 down
• Lower rates
• No PMI
• Reduced or waived funding fee
• State-level tax perks
• Closing cost assistance
• Discounted homeowners insurance
• Refinance options built specifically for service members
  

When combined, these benefits can create the most affordable path to homeownership in the entire lending system.

Final Thoughts: You’ve Earned This. Make the Most of It.

You served your country. These benefits exist to serve you back — and too many veterans never receive the full value of what they’ve earned.

Whether you’re buying, refinancing, or planning ahead, the key is simple:
Know your benefits. Use them fully. And work with a team that protects your advantage every step of the way.

If you’d like help getting started, New Era Lending is here to make the process easy, clear, and empowering.

Call us anytime: 888-700-0788
Email: clientrelations@neweralending.com

Let’s make sure you get every benefit you’ve earned — and more.