A VA home loan is one of the most valuable homeownership benefits available to eligible veterans, yet many who qualify still don't fully understand what it offers. Only about 13% of veterans use the VA Home Loan program, and roughly a third of those who don't say they simply were not aware of it.
That gap is finally getting real attention in Washington and across the real estate industry. The message is simple: an earned benefit only has value when people know it's available.
The 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act became law on July 11, 2026. Alongside its broader housing supply and affordability measures, it includes two provisions built to put VA financing in front of the people who have earned it.
These changes will roll out over time. Federal housing regulators have until January 11, 2027 to direct the application update, and HUD still needs to finalize the new FHA disclosure format. You don't have to wait for new paperwork, though. If you served, you can ask about your VA eligibility today.
Think of the VA loan as a key that can open a door that might otherwise require years of saving. For eligible veterans, service members, and some surviving spouses, the advantages can include:
In a San Diego market where saving a traditional down payment can take a long time, these advantages can make a meaningful difference.
The VA loan can remove the down payment barrier, but owning a home still comes with real costs. Each of these deserves a place in your budget before you start shopping:
Planning for the full cost of ownership is what turns a great loan program into a sustainable home.
On November 7, 2026, the Department of Veterans Affairs announced a partnership with the National Association of REALTORS® to expand awareness of VA home loan benefits. A central goal is clearing up outdated misconceptions, such as the idea that VA loans are slow, complicated, unattractive to sellers, or more expensive than other options.
To support the effort, VA released a home loan toolkit for real estate professionals with eligibility guidance, buyer resources, and myth busting materials. VA leadership also stressed a point many veterans miss: you don't need combat service to qualify for VA benefits. If you served honorably, you may have earned them.
For veterans considering a purchase, this is a good time to revisit eligibility, compare financing options side by side, and make sure your entire homebuying team, from your agent to your lender, understands how VA financing works.
This Veterans Day, recognizing service also means recognizing the benefits earned through it. For eligible veterans, a VA home loan may be an important part of building financial stability and putting down roots.
The next step may not be finding a house. It may be discovering an opportunity that was available all along.
At Park Place Collective, Joe Costa and the Park Place Collective Team help San Diego veterans and their families review VA eligibility, compare VA, FHA, and conventional options, and plan for the full cost of ownership. Because our firm brings mortgage, real estate, and life insurance under one roof, your financing and your home search stay on the same page. To start the conversation, contact the Park Place Collective Team.
Park Place Collective | Email jcosta@parkplacefg.com | Office 619-990-7552 | Cell 646-245-7856 | NMLS 2571108 | DRE 02230476 | DFPI 60DBO-212395 | Joe Costa NMLS 113396, DRE 01410823 | Marni Costa DRE 01858497 |
This article is for general information only and is not a commitment to lend. VA loan eligibility, funding fee requirements, and program terms are determined by the Department of Veterans Affairs and the lender, and are subject to change.
