Joint VA Loan: What It Is & How to Get One

By Bill Lyons | Updated on February 3, 2024

For those who have served in the U.S. military, VA loans are a mortgage benefit that can help you get a home. Backed by the Department of Veterans Affairs, these no-down-payment required loans offer generous terms that make them very attractive for first-time home buyers and individuals searching for new home financing.

To be eligible for a joint VA purchase loan, at least one applicant needs to meet eligibility criteria either through current service in the military or being an unmarried surviving spouse of a veteran.

This is a fantastic opportunity if only one applicant meets qualification standards and allows two people to buy property together, even if neither person has owned real estate before. As long as at least one borrower satisfies all necessary qualifications, both parties can get approved when applying jointly for this special type of loan program.

Keep reading if you think this mortgage option might help you achieve your dreams of homeownership.

What Is a Joint VA Loan?

Joint VA loans are great options if you’re looking for some extra help when buying a home, as they provide veterans, service members, and their spouses with the opportunity to buy property while relying on multiple borrowers.

A VA joint loan allows multiple people to work together to buy a house, even if only one of them meets the VA joint loan requirements. This means that all those listed on the document will be equally held accountable when it comes time to pay off the mortgage.

Who Can Be Included on a Joint VA Loan?

With homeownership dreams on the line, having multiple people contributing to the loan can go a long way. A joint VA home loan allows for just that.

In general, there are three separate categories of applicants for a VA joint loan:

1. One person qualifies as an eligible military applicant but applies alongside other non-qualifying applicants.
2. Two or more individuals have acceptable eligibility status, according to the Department of Veterans Affairs.
3. Everyone meets the qualifications for approval, but they don’t want to use their full entitlement amount when applying.

If you’re married, couples count as single entities when it comes time to prove your eligibility, so you don’t actually need each member’s individual information. Even lawful permanent residents without citizenship status can sign onto such agreements as long as they meet certain criteria put forward by the government.

With a joint VA loan, everyone who signs will be responsible for paying the loan on time, so be sure to understand your obligations before signing a loan with someone else. This is where working with a professional can be helpful.

How Does VA Entitlement Work with a Joint VA Loan?

For those who want to take full advantage of their veteran status and get a loan, understanding joint VA loans is essential. This type of loan allows multiple borrowers to use their individual VA loan benefits through the VA entitlement program.

So how does this work? As long as one borrower has an eligible entitlement and meets all other criteria, two or more people can apply together for a joint VA loan without every person needing to use their own entitlement; however, only half will be covered by the single entitlement holder’s benefit.

Even if no down payment is made, there’s still no limit on how much you can borrow, provided neither party has ever taken out or paid off any prior VA loans before applying together.

It’s important for potential applicants, including veterans, to know what qualifications and VA loan closing costs must be met. These requirements may change over time. The best way to address any questions related to this process is to seek advice from someone with expertise in the matter.

Consulting a loan specialist can help you decide if this is the right option for you.

Key Differences: Typical VA Loans vs. Joint VA Loans

The key difference between a joint VA loan and a standard VA mortgage is joint VA loans involve multiple parties.

If both an active-duty servicemember or veteran and someone without any military connection applies for a loan from lenders, they’ll usually need to put some money down. Generally speaking, when one of the applicants doesn’t have access to veterans’ benefits or isn’t using their eligibility status, lenders require them to contribute part of this riskier investment upfront.

Since only people with appropriate privileges receive coverage under Veterans Affairs policies, additional security must be provided in terms of cash from those not eligible for these advantages. As such, banks often demand that nonmilitary occupants make a payment before granting approval as part of joint loan requirements from the Department Of Veteran Affairs (VA).

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Pros & Cons of a Joint VA Loan

Taking out a VA joint loan could seem exciting, but it’s important to know the pros and cons of this option before you commit. Consider these benefits and drawbacks when deciding if this option is right for you:

Pros

• Having two incomes can open up opportunities to purchase more expensive homes than one person alone would be capable of affording.
• You may have an easier time qualifying for a home loan if you apply together.
• Additionally, no down payment is required as long as all borrowers meet the program’s criteria.

Drawbacks

• If any borrower does not qualify for benefits under the program, then they may have to put down some form of deposit in order to proceed with taking out the loan.
• A mandatory funding fee is often still required unless one or more of the parties qualifies for an exemption. This charge is typically 1% of your total loan amount.

Weighing all factors carefully is essential before deciding whether or not this route best suits your needs.

Is a Joint VA Loan Right for You?

Are you and a fellow borrower searching for the ideal home loan? If one of you is a veteran, then joint VA loans are an amazing option that could be just what you need.

Joint VA mortgages offer some unique benefits, like lower interest rates or even no down payment required. But, it’s important to know exactly what each option entails, as there may be restrictions specific to this type of loan. Doing your research ahead of time and being candid with your fellow borrowers can make all the difference.

Apply for a Joint VA Loan with Griffin Funding

Griffin Funding can help figure out if a joint VA loan works best for everyone involved. We understand how daunting these decisions can be, which is why we’ll take a deep dive into all available options so nothing gets missed along the way.

Our team of experts is always ready and willing to make the process as straightforward and stress-free as possible. We offer total transparency at every stage while also ensuring you get the best rate available.

Start the process today by applying online or speaking with one of our loan specialists at 855-698-1230.

Bill Lyons

Bill Lyons is the Founder, CEO & President of Griffin Funding. Founded in 2013, Griffin Funding is a national boutique mortgage lender focusing on delivering 5-star service to its clients. Mr. Lyons has 22 years of experience in the mortgage business. Lyons is seen as an industry leader and expert in real estate finance. Lyons has been featured in Forbes, Inc., Wall Street Journal, HousingWire, and more. As a member of the Mortgage Bankers Association, Lyons is able to keep up with important changes in the industry to deliver the most value to Griffin's clients. Under Lyons' leadership, Griffin Funding has made the Inc. 5000 fastest-growing companies list five times in its 10 years in business.