VA home loans in New Hampshire

Who's eligible for a VA loan?

VA loans are available to eligible veterans, active-duty service members, certain National Guard and Reserve members, and some surviving spouses. Your Certificate of Eligibility confirms your benefit, and Tom can help you request it.

How do I get my Certificate of Eligibility?

There are three ways to request it: online through VA.gov, through your lender, which can often request it for you through the VA's online system, or by mail with VA Form 26-1880. Mail requests usually take longer.

• Veterans: your discharge or separation papers, such as a DD214
• Active-duty service members: a statement of service signed by your commander, adjutant or personnel officer, showing your name, date of birth, the date you entered duty and any lost time

Is there a VA loan limit?

If you have your full entitlement, the VA says you don't have a loan limit, as long as you can afford the loan and the appraisal supports the price. If part of your entitlement is already in use, for example on a VA loan you still have, the county loan limit affects how much of the new loan the VA guarantees. The 2026 loan limit guide lists the New Hampshire county limits.

How does the VA look at my budget?

The VA describes its home loan as a residual-driven program. Besides your debt-to-income ratioDebt-to-income ratio (DTI) Your monthly debt payments divided by your gross monthly income. Lenders use it to judge what you can afford. See the full glossary×, underwriting looks at residual income: what's left each month after your new house payment, your debts and estimated living costs, measured against VA guidelines for your household size and region. Strong residual income can help an application that has a higher ratio.

What makes a VA loan different?

• Backed by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
• No monthly mortgage insuranceMortgage insurance (PMI or MIP) Insurance that protects the lender on many loans with a smaller down payment. It's added to your payment and can often be removed later. See the full glossary×
• Flexible credit guidelines
• The seller can pay certain closing costs
• You can use the benefit more than once
• A VA loan can be assumed by a qualified buyer when you sell

What is the VA funding fee?

Most VA loans include a one-time funding feeFunding fee A one-time fee on VA loans that can be paid at closing or added to the loan. Veterans who receive VA disability compensation are exempt. See the full glossary×, which can be paid at closing or added to the loan. It's waived for veterans who receive VA compensation for a service-connected disability and for some others. Tom will confirm whether it applies to you.

What are the VA's occupancy and appraisal rules?

A VA loan is for a home you'll live in. That can include a 2 to 4 unit property if you live in one of the units. The VA appraisal also checks that the home meets basic safety and condition standards, which is worth knowing before you make an offer on a fixer-upper.

Do NH veterans get a property tax credit?

New Hampshire law lets towns offer property tax credits to eligible veterans, with larger credits for some service-connected disabilities. Each town sets its own amounts, and you apply through the town assessor's office, so check with the town before you buy.

The credits come from RSA 72:28 (the standard and optional veterans' tax credit) and RSA 72:35 (service-connected total disability). You file a permanent application with your town's assessing office, generally by April 15 of the tax year.

Can I refinance a VA loan?

If you already have a VA loan, a VA streamline refinance (IRRRL) could lower your payment with less paperwork. A VA cash-out refinance can turn equity into cash. The break-even calculator shows how long a refinance takes to pay for itself. Homeowners with an FHA loan have a similar option, the FHA streamline refinance.