Buy Your California Home With a VA Loan — Zero Down, No Fees

The VA doesn’t set a minimum credit score requirement. Most lenders look for at least a 620 FICO score, but LendFriend evaluates your entire financial picture — not just your credit score. Many Veterans qualify with lower scores because VA loans allow more flexible credit histories. For a deeper breakdown of VA vs conventional credit standards, read our guide.

The VA Funding Fee is a one-time cost required on VA loans unless you have a VA disability rating, meet Purple Heart eligibility, or qualify for another exemption. The fee amount depends on your down payment, service type, and whether this is first-time or subsequent use of your VA entitlement.

For most purchase loans, it’s 2.15% for first-time use and 3.30% for subsequent use with less than 5% down, and lower if you put 5% or more down. For VA Streamline Refinances (IRRRLs), it’s just 0.5%.

Veterans with a VA disability rating, Purple Heart recipients, and certain surviving spouses are exempt from paying the funding fee. If your disability claim is approved after closing but effective before your closing date, you may be eligible for a refund.

No. With full VA entitlement, you can buy a home with $0 down, even in high-cost markets or when you're buying a multi-million dollar property.

Yes. You can use your VA loan benefit multiple times, and you may even have more than one VA loan at the same time if your remaining entitlement supports the new purchase. Entitlement restoration is available after selling or paying off the prior VA loan.

Yes. A spouse can be a full co-borrower on a VA loan, and their income can strengthen your VA income requirements, improve DTI, and help you qualify for more home. If your spouse is also a Veteran, you may be able to combine entitlements.

VA disability income is non-taxable, which boosts your effective income, improves DTI, and strengthens your residual income under VA loan requirements. Any VA disability rating also exempts you from the VA Funding Fee — a major cost saver.

Yes. With full entitlement, there are no VA loan limits, meaning you can purchase a high-cost or luxury home — even a multi-million-dollar property — with $0 down. VA jumbo loans are one of the biggest competitive advantages over conventional financing.

BAH is fully counted toward your VA income requirements. It strengthens your DTI and residual income calculation. VA lenders treat BAH as stable income, which often gives active-duty buyers more purchasing power than conventional programs.

Most VA loans in California close in less than 30 days, but timelines can vary by region. LendFriend speeds up the process by verifying eligibility early, managing appraisal expectations upfront, and structuring your file to avoid delays commonly seen in competitive California markets.

The core VA rules are the same nationwide, but California real estate introduces unique underwriting and appraisal considerations. Older housing stock in cities like San Bernardino and Fresno, high-density condo communities in San Diego, and coastal or hillside properties with environmental overlays can require additional scrutiny. We prepare your file with these California-specific factors in mind—so VA Minimum Property Requirements, appraisals, and local conditions don’t slow down your approval.