THE VA LOAN IS A benefit, NOT A BACKUP PLAN.
You earned it. We're going to make sure it actually works for you. Bryan Bergjans and his team have closed VA loans in all 50 states for veterans, active-duty service members, Guard, Reserve, and surviving spouses — including the deals other lenders said couldn't be done.
No obligation · Direct line to Bryan's team
WHAT YOUR service ACTUALLY GETS YOU.
The VA loan isn't a consolation prize. It's one of the strongest mortgage products in the country — and most lenders aren't equipped to maximize it. Here's what it really looks like when handled right.
$0 DOWN PAYMENT
100% financing on a primary residence with no down payment required — preserving cash for moving, furnishing, or emergency reserves.
NO PMI · EVER
Zero private mortgage insurance regardless of your down payment. That's hundreds of dollars saved every month versus FHA or conventional.
COMPETITIVE RATES
VA rates consistently run lower than conventional. Backed by the VA guarantee, lenders price the risk lower — and you keep the savings.
REUSABLE ENTITLEMENT
Your VA benefit isn't one-and-done. You can restore and reuse it across multiple homes — and in many cases hold two VA loans simultaneously.
FLEXIBLE CREDIT
VA underwriting is more forgiving than conventional. Lower middle scores, prior bankruptcy, and recent credit events don't automatically disqualify you.
VA PROTECTIONS
From limits on closing costs to foreclosure relief programs and the VA appraisal process — you're backed by federal protections most buyers never see.
VA LENDING ISN'T A side specialty HERE.
Most loan officers close a handful of VA loans a year. Bryan built a national platform around them. The result: deeper expertise, faster underwriting decisions, and a higher closing rate on offers that other lenders walk away from.
VA-DEDICATED TEAM
Underwriters, processors, and closers who handle VA loans as their primary focus — not the file that sits at the bottom of the pile on Friday.
RATE-COMPETITIVE
Direct lender pricing, daily-market rate sheets, and the volume to negotiate. We don't broker your loan out — we fund it.
OFFER STRENGTH
Fully underwritten pre-approvals so your offer reads like a cash buyer's. We've turned VA contracts into accepted offers in markets that prefer conventional.
50-STATE REACH
PCS to a new duty station? Buying in a different state than where you serve? We're licensed in all 50 states with local market awareness.
ON THE mission BEHIND THE WORK.
Bryan sits down with loanDepot's Alec Hanson to discuss why VA lending matters and what it actually takes to serve veterans well.
WHAT YOU'VE BEEN told ABOUT VA LOANS.
Misinformation about VA loans costs veterans real money — and lost homes. Here's the truth behind the six most damaging myths in this industry.
"VA appraisals always come in low and kill the deal."
VA appraisals follow the same comparable-sales methodology as conventional. They include a Notice of Value, but we can challenge low appraisals through Reconsideration of Value — and we do, successfully.
"Sellers refuse VA offers because the loan is harder to close."
VA loans close at comparable rates to conventional when handled by experienced lenders. When we write the pre-approval letter, listing agents call us — we make sure they understand the strength of the offer.
"You can only use your VA loan once."
Your VA entitlement is restorable. You can reuse it after paying off a prior VA loan, and in many cases hold two VA loans at the same time — especially after a PCS move.
"VA loans have a hard limit you can't go above."
Since 2020, veterans with full entitlement have no VA loan limit. You can use a VA Jumbo to buy a higher-priced home — often with $0 down well into seven figures.
"You need perfect credit and a huge income to qualify."
VA underwriting uses residual income analysis, not just debt-to-income. Many veterans with imperfect credit or modest pay qualify when conventional says no.
"The funding fee makes VA loans more expensive than conventional."
The one-time funding fee can be rolled into the loan. Disabled veterans, surviving spouses, and Purple Heart recipients are fully exempt. Even with the fee, total cost is typically lower than FHA or conventional with PMI.
FOUR WAYS TO USE YOUR benefit.
Whether you're buying your first home, lowering a rate, accessing equity, or stretching into a higher-priced market, your VA benefit has a structure built for it.
VA PURCHASE
Buy a primary residence with $0 down, no PMI, and competitive rates. Single-family, condos on the VA-approved list, multi-units up to 4, and new construction all qualify.
VA IRRRL
The Interest Rate Reduction Refinance Loan — a streamlined refinance with minimal documentation, no appraisal in most cases, and lower funding fee. Built for lowering your rate, fast.
CASH-OUT
Tap up to 100% of your home's equity — one of the most generous LTV allowances in the industry. Pay off high-interest debt, fund renovations, or consolidate.
VA JUMBO
For veterans with full entitlement, there's no maximum VA loan amount. Buy in higher-cost markets with $0 down well past the conforming limit.
BUILT TO serve THOSE WHO SERVED.
In 2016, Bryan helped establish one of the first corporate-level Military & Veteran initiatives in mortgage banking — built around a simple idea: Veterans don't live inside our intentions. They live in the outcomes we create.
As National Director of Military Growth and Strategy at loanDepot, Bryan has spent the last decade scaling that work — developing teams, building training programs, and personally closing VA loans for service members from every branch, rank, and duty station.
His team operates with one standard: treat every VA file like it's the only one. The outcome is measurable — higher closing rates on VA contracts, more accepted offers in competitive markets, and veterans who become clients for life.
Direct consultation · No obligation
YOUR entitlement EXPLAINED.
Entitlement is the VA's guarantee to your lender. Understanding which tier you're in determines how much you can borrow with $0 down and whether you can hold multiple VA loans at once.
FULL ENTITLEMENT
Never used your VA benefit, or paid off a prior VA loan and sold the home. No VA loan limit. Buy with $0 down at any price point you qualify for based on income.
PARTIAL ENTITLEMENT
Currently have an active VA loan, or a prior VA foreclosure/short sale. You can still use remaining entitlement — county loan limits and a possible down payment may apply.
RESTORED ENTITLEMENT
You can restore full entitlement by paying off and disposing of the prior property — or use one-time restoration to keep a prior VA-financed home and buy again.
THE ONE-TIME funding fee.
The VA funding fee is a one-time charge that helps keep the program running — and it replaces the ongoing monthly PMI that conventional and FHA borrowers pay for years.
For first-time use with no down payment, the fee is typically 2.15% of the loan amount. Subsequent use may be higher. The fee can be financed into the loan, meaning you don't pay it out-of-pocket at closing.
Even with the funding fee included, total cost over the life of the loan is consistently lower than FHA with MIP or conventional with PMI — particularly for borrowers putting less than 20% down.
YOU MAY OWE $0 IN FUNDING FEE
- →Veterans receiving VA disability compensation
- →Surviving spouses of veterans who died in service or from service-related conditions
- →Purple Heart recipients on active duty
- →Veterans eligible for compensation based on a pre-discharge claim review
WHO'S eligible FOR A VA LOAN.
Eligibility extends beyond active veterans. If you fall into any of these groups, you likely have a VA benefit waiting to be used.
ACTIVE-DUTY SERVICE MEMBERS
Currently serving for at least 90 continuous days during wartime or 181 days during peacetime. All branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, Space Force.
VETERANS
Honorably discharged after meeting minimum service requirements. Service time varies by era — Gulf War veterans need 24 continuous months or the full period called to active duty.
SURVIVING SPOUSES
Un-remarried spouses of service members who died in the line of duty or from a service-connected disability. DIC recipients may also qualify with full benefits.
NATIONAL GUARD & RESERVES
Six years of service in the Selected Reserve or National Guard, or 90 days of active service under Title 32 orders (with at least 30 consecutive days) qualifies you for the benefit.
PRIOR VA LOAN USERS
Already used your benefit once? You can use it again. Entitlement can be restored after payoff, and many veterans qualify to hold multiple VA loans simultaneously.
UNCERTAIN STATUS
Not sure if you qualify? Discharge under "Other Than Honorable" conditions doesn't automatically disqualify you. We can help pull your COE and review your service record.
QUESTIONS, answered STRAIGHT.
The questions Bryan hears most often from service members and veterans exploring their VA benefit for the first time — or the second.
Do I really need $0 down, or should I put money down anyway?
The VA loan is one of the only true $0-down programs left — and you should absolutely take advantage of it if your goal is preserving cash. Most veterans who put money down do so to reduce their monthly payment or lower the funding fee tier. But if you'd rather keep that money for emergency reserves, furniture, renovations, or investing, financing 100% is a perfectly sound strategy. We'll model both scenarios side-by-side so you can decide based on numbers, not pressure.
My credit score is in the low 600s. Can I still get a VA loan?
Likely yes. The VA itself sets no minimum credit score — that's a lender overlay. At loanDepot, we work with veterans across a wide credit spectrum, and many of our approvals come in below the "magic" 620 number you'll see on most consumer sites. What matters more is recent payment history, debt-to-income ratio, and how the rest of your file looks. If we can't get you approved today, we'll give you a specific roadmap to get there in 60–120 days.
I used my VA loan years ago on a home I still own. Can I use it again?
In most cases, yes — and this is one of the most underused benefits in the entire program. If you still owe on your first VA loan, you have "partial entitlement" remaining that may be enough to buy a second home with little or no down payment, depending on county loan limits. PCS moves, family growth, and job relocations are exactly the scenarios this is built for. We'll pull your COE and calculate your remaining entitlement before you make any decisions.
Sellers and agents in my market say they won't accept VA offers. What do I do?
This is rooted in outdated information from the 1990s — and it's costing veterans homes. Modern VA appraisals close at virtually the same pace as conventional, and the program no longer requires sellers to pay buyer closing costs. We provide every borrower with a "VA Offer Strength" packet that listing agents can share with their sellers — it explains funding timelines, appraisal turn times, and our underwriting commitment. In competitive markets, that single document has helped our borrowers win offers against cash buyers.
How long does the VA loan process actually take from start to keys?
Pre-approval typically takes 24–48 hours once we have your basic documentation. From accepted contract to closing, our average is 21–28 days — comparable to or faster than conventional financing. The VA appraisal is ordered immediately after contract acceptance and currently averages 7–10 business days in most markets. If you're on a PCS timeline or need to close fast, let us know upfront and we'll prioritize accordingly.
What documents do I need to gather before our first conversation?
Nothing, actually. Your first conversation with us is purely a consultation — we'll talk through your situation, goals, and timeline before asking for anything. If you decide to move toward pre-approval, the standard package is: most recent 30 days of pay stubs, last 2 years of W-2s or tax returns, 2 months of bank statements, your DD-214 (or active-duty Statement of Service), and a photo ID. If you don't have your DD-214, we can help you request it. No paperwork required to start the conversation.
LET'S SEE WHAT YOUR benefit CAN DO.
Tell us a bit about your situation. Bryan or a member of his military lending team will reach out within one business day to walk through your numbers — no commitment, no credit pull required.
