Veterans United: Great for VA Loan – Otherwise, Shop Around (2026)

Who Veterans United is best for

Veterans United is purpose-built for service members, veterans and surviving spouses who want a lender that truly understands military life. It’s perfect if you:

• Qualify for VA loan benefits and want a $0 down payment
• Need fast preapproval (often same-day)
• Want 24/7 access to support (essential if you’re stationed overseas)
• Could benefit from free credit counseling
• Prefer a lender that specializes in one thing and does it really well

You may want to consider other mortgage lenders if you:

• Don’t qualify for VA benefits (it does offer conventional, FHA and USDA loans, but information is limited)
• Need a home equity loan or HELOC without refinancing
• Want extensive in-person branch access
• Prefer a lender with a wider variety of loan products

Is Veterans United legit?

Veterans United has been around since 2002 and is now the largest VA purchase lender in the United States. It holds high customer ratings from trusted ratings websites like the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and Trustpilot.

In 2017, the company paid a $1.1 million settlement in New York for not always passing on full lender credits to borrowers at closing. Veterans United addressed the issue immediately and hasn’t had similar problems since.

In 2024, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau received just 41 complaints about its parent company (Mortgage Research Center LLC), a very low number given its loan volume.

What makes Veterans United shine?

• VA loan specialists. Over 90% of Veterans United’s loans are VA mortgages, making it the #1 VA lender in the country for nine consecutive years.
• Free credit counseling. Veterans United offers complimentary credit consulting to help improve credit scores and strengthen mortgage eligibility, with over 50,000 veterans using this service before closing on a home.
• Mobile-first experience. The MyVeteransUnited app lets you upload documents, track loan progress and manage your application from anywhere in real time.
• 24/7 customer support. Phone support is available around the clock, which is especially valuable for service members stationed overseas or working non-standard hours.
• High customer satisfaction. Veterans United earns a 4.9 out of 5 rating on Trustpilot and the highest score (793) in J.D. Power’s 2024 Mortgage Origination Satisfaction Study.

Where Veterans United falls short

• Home equity through a partner. Veterans United offers home equity loans and HELOCs through a partnership with U.S. Bank, requiring you to work with a separate lender.
• Limited non-VA loan Information. While Veterans United offers conventional, FHA and USDA loans, rates aren’t published online for non-VA products.
• Primarily digital process. Veterans United has 24 branch locations in 17 states, but most of the loan process happens online or by phone.

Veterans United loan details

Costs and fees

Here’s what you can expect to pay:

A funding fee: Between 0.5% to 3.3% of your loan amount (2.15% is average for first-time VA buyers with no down payment). This fee goes to the Department of Veterans Affairs, not Veterans United. Note: Veterans with service-connected disabilities are exempt.

Origination fee: Up to 1% of your loan amount (VA loans are capped at 1% by law).

Closing costs: Expect to pay around 3% to 5% of your home’s total cost in fees and closing costs, including:

• Appraisal fee
• Credit report fee
• Title search and insurance
• Recording fees
• Attorney fees (if applicable)
• Underwriting
• Tax service fee

Calculate your monthly loan payments

Want to see what your payments might look like? Use our calculator to get an estimate based on your loan amount, interest rate and other factors.

How to qualify for Veterans United

VA loans

• Credit score: Minimum 620
• Service eligibility: Must meet VA service requirements
• Certificate of Eligibility (COE): Required (Veterans United can help you obtain this)
• Down payment: $0
• Debt-to-income ratio: Up to 41% typically (though it can use more flexible residual income calculations)

FHA loans

• Credit score: Minimum 620 (higher than FHA’s 580 minimum, but this is Veterans United’s requirement)
• Down payment: 3.5%
• Property: Must be your primary residence

Conventional loans

• Credit score: Minimum 620
• Down payment: 3% to 20%, depending on your profile
• PMI: Required if you put down less than 20%

USDA loans

• Credit score: Minimum 640
• Income limits: Must meet USDA income requirements
• Location: Property must be in an eligible rural area
• Down payment: $0

You’ll also need proof of steady income, employment verification and a government-issued photo ID.

Required documentation

Having these documents ready will speed up your application:

Proof of Identity:

• Valid government-issued photo ID (driver’s license or passport)

Proof of Military Service:

• Veterans: DD Form 214
• Active-duty: Statement of Service
• National Guard (activated): DD Form 214
• Reserves (activated): DD Form 214
• National Guard (never activated): NGB Form 22 and NGB Form 23

Income Verification:

• Recent pay stubs (last 30 days)
• W-2 statements from the past two years
• Two years of federal tax returns if self-employed

Certificate of Eligibility (COE) Veterans United can help you request this if you don’t have it yet.

Additional Documents (if applicable):

• VA disability award letter
• Social Security award letter
• Divorce decree or child support documentation
• Bankruptcy discharge papers

How to apply

Getting started with Veterans United is straightforward:

1. Prequalify online or talk to a loan officer. Answer a few questions about your military service, finances and the home you want to buy. You’ll get an idea of how much you might qualify for. This typically takes just a few minutes.
2. Submit your documents. Upload pay stubs, bank statements and military service records through its secure online portal or mobile app.
3. Get your Certificate of Eligibility (COE). Veterans United can help you request this document that proves you’re eligible for a VA loan. If you already have it, great, just provide it.
4. Review your loan offer and close. Once approved, you’ll receive your loan estimate, lock in your rate and sign the final paperwork. Veterans United’s average closing time is 34 days, faster than the national average of 42 days.⁽¹⁾

How Veterans United compares to other lenders

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Updated regularly

Loan products offered	State availability	Min. credit score
Rocket Mortgage	Conventional, Jumbo, FHA, VA, Refinance, Home equity loan	Available in all states	620	Apply online for free and lock in your rate for 90 days.	See rates More info Compare product selection Compare	loading
Veterans United	Conventional, FHA, VA, USDA, Jumbo, Refinance	Available in all states	620	Veterans United stands out from other lenders for its focus on serving the military community.	See rates More info Compare product selection Compare	loading

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Veterans United reviews and complaints

Customers consistently praise responsive loan officers who explain each step clearly. Many reviewers mention their loan officer by name and note that the process feels surprisingly smooth for first-time buyers.

The most common complaints center on organizational issues like being passed between loan officers and unexpected changes to closing costs during the process.