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🇺🇸 VA Home Loans
Exclusive benefits for military heroes, veterans, active duty, and their families. Get into a home with $0 down payment and no private mortgage insurance - a well-deserved benefit for your service.
Quick Answer
VA loans offer $0 down payments for eligible military members, veterans, and spouses in Wisconsin. These government-backed loans provide no PMI, competitive rates, and flexible qualification requirements - exclusive benefits for those who have served our country.
Understanding VA Loans
For voice assistants: VA stands for Veterans Affairs. VA loans are government-backed mortgages available in Wisconsin with $0 down payment, no PMI, and 2025 loan limits of $766,550 in Dane County. Exclusively for military members, veterans, National Guard, Reserves, and eligible spouses in Madison, Sun Prairie, Middleton, and surrounding areas.
What Makes VA Loans Special
VA loans are guaranteed by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs as a benefit for military service. This government backing allows lenders to offer unmatched terms - including zero down payment and no private mortgage insurance - exclusively to those who have served our country.
100% Financing
Purpose: Honor military service with the ultimate homebuying benefit.
What This Means:
- $300,000 home = $0 down payment
- $500,000 home = $0 down payment
- Finance 100% of the purchase price
- More money stays in your pocket
- Get into homeownership immediately
No Private Mortgage Insurance
Purpose: Save hundreds monthly compared to other loan types.
PMI Savings:
- $300,000 loan saves ~$150-300/month
- $500,000 loan saves ~$250-500/month
- Thousands saved annually
- Lower overall monthly payment
- Benefit lasts entire loan term
Who Can Qualify for VA Loans?
Eligibility Summary: To qualify for VA loans in Wisconsin 2025, you must be a veteran, active duty military, National Guard, Reserves member, or eligible spouse with qualifying service. You need a Certificate of Eligibility, sufficient income to support payments, and will use the home as your primary residence.
🎖️ Veterans
Service Requirements:
• 90 consecutive days during wartime, OR
• 181 days during peacetime, OR
• 6 years in National Guard/Reserves, OR
• Discharged for service-connected disability
🪖 Active Duty
Service Requirements:
• Currently serving active duty, OR
• 90 consecutive days during wartime, OR
• 181 days during peacetime (if continuing service)
🛡️ National Guard & Reserves
Service Requirements:
• 6 years of service, OR
• Discharged for service-connected disability, OR
• Discharged due to hardship or reduction in force
💑 Eligible Spouses
Spouse Requirements:
• Surviving spouse of service member who died in service, OR
• Surviving spouse of veteran who died from service-connected disability, OR
• Spouse of MIA/POW for 90+ days
Additional Requirements
- Certificate of Eligibility (COE) from VA
- Sufficient income to support mortgage payments
- Satisfactory credit (no minimum score set by VA)
- Primary residence only
- Property must meet VA standards
- Honorable discharge (for veterans)
Property Requirements
- Single-family homes, condos, townhomes
- Must meet VA Minimum Property Requirements
- VA appraisal required
- Within VA loan limits for your area
- Safe, sound, and sanitary condition
- No major safety or structural issues
Wisconsin VA Loan Calculator Examples (2025)
VA Funding Fee (One-Time Fee)
First-Time Use: 2.15% of loan amount (can be rolled into loan)
Subsequent Use: 3.3% of loan amount
Disabled Veterans: NO funding fee (0%)
Fee Examples:
• $300,000 loan: $6,450 funding fee (first use)
• $500,000 loan: $10,750 funding fee (first use)
• Disabled veterans pay $0 in all cases
Madison Area Home Purchase Examples
Down Payment: $0
Monthly Payment: ~$1,400
Includes taxes, insurance, NO PMI
Down Payment: $0
Monthly Payment: ~$2,250
Includes taxes, insurance, NO PMI
Down Payment: $0
Monthly Payment: ~$3,375
Includes taxes, insurance, NO PMI
VA Loan Benefits for Wisconsin Military Families
Why Choose VA Loans
100% financing available
Save hundreds monthly
Earned through service
No VA minimum credit score
Use multiple times
Transferable to qualified buyers
Example: $350,000 Home Purchase
VA Loan Benefits:
Down Payment: $0
Loan Amount: $350,000
Monthly Payment: ~$1,950 (NO PMI included)
Compared to Conventional Loan:
Conventional: $17,500 down + $175/month PMI
VA Loan: $0 down + $0 PMI = $19,600 first-year savings!
How to Get a VA Loan
VA Entitlement & Restoration
Full Entitlement: Most veterans get $766,550 (2025 Dane County limit)
Partial Entitlement: Some entitlement used, remainder available
Restoration: Sell home & pay off VA loan to restore full entitlement
Get Certificate of Eligibility
Apply online through eBenefits or have your lender request your COE
Find VA-Approved Lender
Work with a lender approved to offer VA loans (most major banks qualify)
Get Pre-Approved
Submit income, employment, and military documentation for pre-approval
Shop for Homes
Find homes within VA loan limits and that meet VA property standards
VA Appraisal Required
Complete required VA appraisal to ensure home meets VA standards
Close on Your Home
Complete final underwriting and close with $0 down payment!
VA Loan Limits (2025)
Wisconsin VA-Approved Lenders
📧 Click Here for Current List
Get the most up-to-date VA lender directory
Single-Family: $766,550
Duplex: $981,500
Includes Madison and surrounding areas
Single-Family: $766,550
Duplex: $981,500
Standard conforming loan limits
3-Unit: $1,186,650
4-Unit: $1,474,400
For owner-occupied properties
| County | Single-Family Limit | 2-Unit Limit | 3-Unit Limit | 4-Unit Limit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dane County | $766,550 | $981,500 | $1,186,650 | $1,474,400 |
| Most Wisconsin Counties | $766,550 | $981,500 | $1,186,650 | $1,474,400 |
Important VA Loan Details
VA Loan Restrictions
- Primary residence only (no investment properties)
- Must move in within 60 days of closing
- VA funding fee applies (unless disabled)
- Property must meet VA Minimum Property Requirements
- Loan amount cannot exceed VA limits
- No prepayment penalties
VA Loan Advantages
- Zero down payment required
- No private mortgage insurance ever
- Competitive interest rates
- Assumable by qualified buyers
- Streamline refinancing available (IRRRL)
- No prepayment penalties
VA Loan Assumability
VA loans are assumable, meaning a qualified buyer can take over your loan payments and terms when you sell. This can be a huge selling advantage, especially if you have a low interest rate!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the down payment for VA loans?
VA loans require $0 down payment for eligible military members, veterans, and spouses. This is one of the biggest benefits of VA loans and is exclusive to military families.
Who is eligible for VA loans?
Veterans, active duty military, National Guard, Reserves, and surviving spouses are eligible for VA loans with qualifying service records. You need a Certificate of Eligibility from the VA.
What are 2025 VA loan limits in Wisconsin?
For 2025, VA loan limits in Wisconsin are $766,550 for single-family homes in Dane County (Madison), Milwaukee County, and most Wisconsin counties. Limits are higher for multi-unit properties.
Do VA loans require mortgage insurance?
No! VA loans never require private mortgage insurance (PMI), which can save you hundreds of dollars monthly compared to conventional loans.
Can I use my VA loan benefit more than once?
Yes! Your VA loan benefit is reusable. Once you sell your home and pay off the VA loan, your entitlement is restored for future use.
Which Wisconsin cities are popular for VA loans?
VA loans are popular in Madison, Milwaukee, Green Bay, Kenosha, Racine, Appleton, Sun Prairie, Middleton, Verona, and Fitchburg. Available statewide in Wisconsin.
Explore Other Loan Options
While VA loans offer unmatched benefits for military families, explore these additional loan options that might complement your needs:
Not Sure Which Loan is Right for You?
While VA loans offer incredible benefits for military families, every situation is unique. Let our experts help you compare all available loan options and find the perfect financing solution.